"Maternity services"

We had our baby boy at Leicester General at the start of the year. We were very pleased with the service we received. I felt like I was treated individually and they listened and gave me the support I needed to achieve what I wanted to experience through having our baby. As it turned out it didn't go to plan but I'd been open minded and was happy to try whatever was needed at the time, they gave me the options available to me and the time I needed to make the decisions, it really helped that I also had my husband and Mum with me. I think that in its self was key to part of the experience, as well as having the same midwife with me throughout the day and lots of other confident supportive members of staff.

We stayed in the hospital for a couple of nights after due to me having a C section, we were all cared for very well, I did my best to get up and get moving as soon as I was allowed and they were encouraging with my recovery. They helped when they could with starting us off breastfeeding which I am currently still doing, please keep trying for as long as you can it's so worth it.

The hardest part I found about the experience as anyone probably does is going into hospital and being sent home until your further along with your labour, especially as mine started through the night, I tried all the home aids you can get ( the ball, tens machine ect) but if we do have another one again one day I think the only thing I'd change is I'd get my mum to come and support me as soon as possible, as the required time at home seems a bit daunting and long winded.

I'd like to say to all the mums to be, if you can and you have a good relationship with your mum definitely have her with you. If you feel you get to the stage where you need a epidural and your offered it, I know there's a higher chance you might have a c section but it helps so much. Take each step as it comes and just remember it's a short period of your life, parenthood is the best, the first couple of months are hard but so worth it.

We would like to say a big thank you to all the staff, sorry it's taken so long and we haven't named individual people but everyone played a important part and we really appreciate the service we received such a important part of life.