"Maternity review-June 2018"

I am writing regarding my pregnancy, labour and post birth experience at Warwick Hospital.

I can only say what an outstanding experience I had and I say that as someone that had a fear of hospitals-more so a specific fear of dying in childbirth, so much so that even going on the maternity tour left me in tears at the prospect of a hospital birth.

However it wasn’t something I mentioned to anyone during my pregnancy as a hospital birth was unavoidable due to a diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes.

However I am now so relieved that I was in hospital care.

The midwife that helped me through my labour was amazing.

I know from speaking with my husband that towards the end of the labour, there were quite a few additional people in the room with us, but whilst I was aware of having short conversations with other staff, it was the midwife that I remember listening to and turning to for guidance and support.

She was calm, supportive and professional, even when my waters broke completely over her!

Unfortunately I had a retained placenta and needed to be taken into theatre.

My anxiety was through the roof and I cried throughout the procedure.

But the same midwife was still with me; the anaesthetist kept me informed of what was happening throughout and everything went smoothly.

During recovery, the midwife was still there.

Having the same person throughout it all helped me relax.

I can’t thank her enough for the level of care she provided me.

She didn’t know anything about my anxieties, this was just how she did her job.

My son and I were then diagnosed with an infection meaning that he needed to be taken to SCBU twice a day for medication and we had an extended stay in Swan ward.

All the staff that I met throughout my experience and in all areas of the maternity department, from midwives, doctors, cleaners and catering staff were such a credit to the NHS.

I felt comfortable, relaxed, informed and cared for during my post birth recovery.

This is not the experience I had after the birth of my first child at another Trust and so I felt compelled to let you know.

I will be nominating my midwife for the GEM award.