"Birth of my daughter and struggles with feeding"

My daughter was born in Wishaw General Hospital in late September and I cannot speak more highly of the care we received.  Every member of staff that we encountered from the Saturday night until we were discharged on the Wednesday night were exceptionally supportive, approachable and caring.

On the Saturday before my daughter was born I was concerned about a reduction in the movements I was feeling.  I contacted the triage department who asked me to come in to be checked over. I was taken as soon as we arrived and put onto the trace machine. The midwife and doctor who cared for us were very reassuring and explained clearly what the results of the trace meant.  After an examination we discovered that I was 3 cm dilated and they arranged for me to come in the following morning as I was already 9 days over my due date and if things hadn't happened by themselves they would induce me.

We arrived at the hospital on Sunday morning. I was put onto the trace machine again and examined. I was now 4cm dilated and it was decided that they would break my waters and put me onto a hormone drip. Again the midwife who cared for me was fantastic in her manner and the way she explained what would happen.

When I was moved to the labour ward I met the midwife who would deliver our daughter. Her name was Elsey. I cannot thank her enough for the way she kept both myself and my husband calm. She explained everything that was happening in a way that I could easily understand and from the start I had every confidence in her.

After the birth of my daughter I was moved to maternity ward 22.  Again all the staff who cared for us for the next few days were fantastic. I had quite a bit of difficulty with breast feeding after the birth of my daughter. I am sorry that I cannot remember the names of all the staff who supported me but I wanted to make a special mention to Fiona. She worked with me to ensure I had the correct positioning, supported me in expressing to ensure my daughter was getting my milk although she wouldn't latch on and when I became overwhelmed, by information when my daughter was put onto a feeding plan by the paediatrican, she came from another ward to reassure me and I am truly thankful to her for this. 

Lastly I want to thank Adele, who I think is one of the infant feeding experts based in the hospital. She came to speak to me on the day I got home from the hospital. She gave me lots of advice on things to try to get my baby to latch on. She stayed with me for about an hour and answered my endless list of questions in a factual way. I was starting to think about combination feeding and she answered all questions in such a way that I did not feel any pressure to persevere with breast feeding but I did feel like supported in making my own choice on what was going to be best for us.

I apologise that I cannot remember all the names of the staff who cared for us as they all deserve to be mentioned for the fantastic work that they do. They never stop and although they are constantly busy they never made me feel like I couldn't ask for help. In the past I had heard stories about women being pressured to breast feed or women being encouraged to go home before they felt they were ready and I want to say that this could not have been further from my experience.

Thank you to everyone for the safe arrival of my precious daughter and for the fantastic support I received in the days following her arrival.