"Excellent staff on labour ward and delivery suite"

From the moment I started having contractions on the 23rd December 2017 the team at Kettering hospital were fantastic.

Having recently moved home, The staff created a short booking a few days before.

Due to having reduced movements for the second time on the 23rd they decided to induce me on the 24th December. The staff on the labour ward were fantastic (Rowan Ward) they kept me informed during this process and ensured I was comfortable throughout induction.

After spending a few hours on the labour ward I was transferred to the delivery suite. On arriving to the labour ward I asked for pain relief and was immediately given access to gas and air.

I was taken care of by a midwife who had only just come on shift, I was informed that there would be a change over of staff but this did not hinder my care. There was good communication.

I was also taken care of by another midwife who would also ensure that I was comfortable and the labour was going well.

I was thoroughly taken care of. I was listened to and my opinion was always taken into account. The first midwife was with me throughout my labour and was there when I delivered in the operating theatre. This made the experience even better. The team in the operating theatre were also exceptional. The doctors were great when my baby was delivered and allowed my other half to cut the cord.

He immediately bonded with the baby.

Once my baby was delivered I was taken back to the labour ward to recover after my c-section. The health advisers helped my other half care for my baby whilst I was resting.

There were many things that I appreciated about this hospital, but the main thing was that there was a team a midwives and a team of health advisers. Both teams always Introduced themselves when the change of shift occurred.

Despite having a c-section I was able to return home a day later. The team at Kettering explained to my family the care I required at home. The midwives also made sure I knew how to take my injections and doubled checked I was fit enough to return home and that my baby was healthy to go home also.

The time I had in hospital with the team of midwives and health advisers made me feel more confident in caring for my baby at home. In addition to this, I am able to phone the midwives if I require advice regarding my baby or my own recovery.

I was worried about my first labour but the staff in Kettering made the whole experience easy and constantly reassured me. I look forward to returning to Kettering General to have a second child.

After speaking with friends they were amazed with the care I received at Kettering and wish they could deliver in Kettering.