"Made me feel extremely dignified"

Admitted with pre term labour at 25 weeks and staff could not have been anymore reassuring in this journey to myself, my baby, my partner and family. Fathers role was just as important to ensure his needs where met. 

Being welcomed after distressing news of pre term labour, Jackie (HCA) welcomed us to the ward and settled us into a private room which kept privacy and dignity at all times. Having a bed for my partner ensured he could support me overnight. Orientated to the ward, and explained there were neonate pictures for us to see in the corridor helped us to see what was to be expected of our prem baby. Her care, compassion, kindness has remained throughout my stay. Lisa (hca) has been an immense support to establish expressing my milk effectively as my baby cannot yet breastfeed. This has made me feel I can contribute to his care despite tube feeding. Aimee (HCA) is also passionate about learning in her new role which is amazing to see. All the midwifes are on hand to speak too, not just for physical wellbeing but mental wellbeing which can sometimes be overlooked but they strive to ensure all of a mothers needs are met. They have been reassuring, polite, kind, compassionate and extremely epathetic in such a difficult time. I cannot thank them enough, especially to Karen (midwife) who was an advocate to ensure I was not discharged as my pregnancy came closer to labouring so early. 

All the midwifes on labour ward for reassurance in the known and remaining calm but honest in pre term labour, especially Maria who went the extra mile for me and my partner each night shift. Her calm approach was much needed. Also thanks to Robin who delivered my baby, im sure she said she was newly qualified and asking for another midwife to be present for what was a potentially difficult breech birth made me feel her competence was at its highest and she would not risk my baby or my health. I want her to know how calming she was when I struggled with touch as she kept monitoring my baby to the very end. Her before and after care was second to none and she assisted far more in my labour than maybe she thought. It was also appreciated how when I had clots and waters breaking the midwifes maintained my hygeine than just leaving me this made me feel extremely dignified. 

Also it was a smooth transition into neonates with the team on standby to answer any questions throughout our journey. For explaining everything in our prem babys needs so clear and pricise. Having a breastfeeding pack was useful to establish expressing. They monitor our babys so closely, trust was built far quicker than expected. And a big thank you for an amazing experiance when I held my baby for the first time thanks to Stacey. All neonate nurses are second to none in their appproach to their care, I am truely inspired by them and the consultant. 

Thankyou to everyone in maternity for making this extremely hard time, that little bit easier .......