"Outstanding care, Amazing birth experience........"

I gave birth to my daughter on the 10th of January this year and thanks to the absolutely superb midwife I had I have a beautiful memory for the rest of my life which I am truly grateful for. I was originally with a different hospital and by 32 weeks I wasn't feeling supported and hadn't been given any advice about birth or labour or been shown any of the facilities used in labour. As I'd had a previous bad experience many years ago I was feeling anxious about this birth experience. One night I felt so stressed I ended up writing st Marys maternity department an email to express my worries and ask for help. I was contacted the very next morning by a midwife who offered me support and advice, said I could change over to their care and booked me 3 appointments there and then ! The midwife was also very kind towards me and listened to everything I had to say. I had my initial appointment the very next week and was immediately offered support regarding my anxiety towards birth. Every appointment I had from then on was positive and the staff who looked after me all treated me with the upmost respect, dignity and care. I would look forward to my appointments...that's how nice they were towards me. Then came the big day....I was so nervous when I woke up with contractions at 5am...I was also extremely tired as I hadn't been sleeping well for the past couple of weeks. I made my way to the hospital at around 3pm as by this point the pains were getting stronger and I was scared about the next level of pain that was to come. Initially the receptionist was a bit frosty towards me and said I would need to go back home. I knew my body though and I knew very soon active labour would begin. I waited to be seen and low and behold when I was checked I was given a room and told my baby would be on the way soon (this was around 7pm) the midwives then changed over and in walked my midwife for the night who was also in charge that night. The first thing the midwife said to me 'Hi How was your day ? The midwife was so enthusiastic and this instantly made me feel very calm. The midwife doted on me and went out of their way to provide me with adequate pain relief and moral support. The midwife was just superb and helped me shape this new experience of labour and birth into a very positive one. You're not allowed to mention names on here so I can't name them directly unfortunately but they will always be a figure in my mind of someone who made a huge impact on my future and happiness by ensuring I was at my best while bringing my daughter into the world. The midwife was down to earth, funny, caring, understanding, respectful and trustworthy. All the things you would want and need whilst at your most vulnerable. I am so lucky to have had this midwife bring my daughter safely into the world and I now have a new memory to replace my old traumatic one. Staff like this leave you feeling empowered and full of joy and happiness which is exactly what every new mum needs. Thank you so much, over all it was fantastic.