"Superb Obstetric and Anaesthetic Doctors"

Our beautiful baby girl was delivered in the Royal Free Hospital on October 16th 2017 safely after a rapid 1st stage of labour followed by an unplanned c-section for failure to progress in the second stage.

When it became evident that I would need assistance in the second stage of labour I was offered an epidural - the consultant anaesthetist arrived within a few minutes and expertly placed a spinal/epidural.

They were so reassuring, professional and within minutes I was comfortable and pain-free.

After several hours of pushing the Obstetric team revisited and advised assisted delivery - either high forceps or C-section.

The consultant and their registrar explained the baby's position in detail, all options, reassured me that the baby was not in distress yet but would not be delivered without some intervention. They outlined pros and cons of all options, and together we decided it would be safer to proceed to C-section.

I had full confidence in both the doctors and the decision made.

My epidural had run out and a consultant anaesthetist swiftly arrived to top it up when she was informed.

They were also very reassuring, professional and put me at my ease.

The C-section was a very positive experience for both my partner and I. Our baby was delivered safely, the entire team in Theatre worked superbly, both to deliver our daughter but also to make my partner and I comfortable, included and reassured.

There was some disconnect or tension between the midwife and the medical team, I got the impression that the midwife was not in favour of the epidural, and delayed calling the second anaesthetist to top it up.

I was without top up for about 1.5 hrs, and this was the only negative experience.

I understand why she did it - thought I might be able to push better without the epidural, but alas that didn't happen.

The post natal ward is very understaffed, and I felt sorry for the midwives.

They have so many women/babies to look after, and some women think that they're there to do everything for them (as do the families).

We were discharged after only 1 night in hospital following C-section - but I was happier in my own bed in control of my analgesia. The midwife was very efficient, multitasked well -and arranged for baby checks and pharmacy delivery of analgesia prior to departure.

Overall, we experienced superb obstetric and anaesthetic care during the delivery of our daughter.

The team in the operating theatre were coordinated, reassuring and made the experience extra special. Thank you all, you do an amazing job.