"The midwives were excellent, kept ..."

What I liked

The midwives were excellent, kept me very informed of my options from the second i came in the doors with contractions.

They even told me honest information eg..that i had to go home after 10 hours (11pm-9am)walking around as i was still not dillating past 5cm.

Also when i should move my pain relief up as i was not coping on just gas anymore.

They always asked me and my husband what we wanted to do at each stage of labour and always introduced the new midwife on the handovers as and when they occurred.

When i went for my c-section the staff were so gentle with me and reassurred me as we walked to theatre, as i got on the table and also during the op. I still remember the anaesthetist talking to me and telling me the baby was out and then even that the stitches would be neat and small!

What could be improved

the trainee midwife mis"felt" my dilation resulting in my waters almost being broken far too early only by chance her senior stopped it last minute...but everyone has to learn. On the same philosophy i was told i should have minimal internals to reduce the chances of infection, however every one i had was doubled up with trainee doctors and trainee midwives..they did ask my permission however i was so dopped up by then that i was just saying "yes ok" to anything they asked to do.

After the operation they were a little behind with the pain relief (1 hour = days when you are in pain!) and also in stopping my beeper on my drips, they seemed to just come in and "snooze it" resulting in it waking my baby, which i couldn't reach for, and the other patients and babies in the room.

Anything else?

The personal after op care was excellent, a midwife came in and checked on me every two hours in the night, even (without asking) washing my belly and private parts, checking the stitches, changing my pads and helping me brush my teeth so i felt a little cleaner. They took out my drips and cath before my visitors came so i could at least sit up and look brighter when the family came with the camera's!! In the days after, the breastfeeding support was excellent too..even in the early hours and at busier times. I can only again thank them so much for helping me through this emotional experience.