"Amazing staff, especially in the neonatal unit"

Our son was born premature and had some breathing difficulties as well as physiological jaundice. The staff within the delivery suite where with us 99% of the time from being admitted to going into labour and then of course 100% after that.

There was some difficulty getting the cannula in but an anaesthetist was called and done it 1st time. The problem originally was with veins collapsing opposed to inexperienced staff. But I am impressed that they identified to problem and escalated appropriately.

During the birth we had a midwife, trainee midwife, doctor and two others who I am unsure of their jobs but all were very professional and the birth was very relaxed. They tended to our every need and gave advice on pain control, birth positions etc. and answered all of our questions (of which we had many as I am an engineer - sorry). This was our first baby and we of course were worried about this part but I could not be more impressed (despite being a control freak) with the level of knowledge and skills from everyone there.

Post birth, the doctor immediately monitored our son's breathing and called for a second paediatrician's opinion, upon which they took our baby straight to neonatal and ask me (dad) to go with them so they could explain everything to me whilst the others looked after my wife. The doctors then explained the likely causes and treatment and reassured me with their plan. They were already making provision to transfer him to a specialist hospital that night just in case he didn't improve but they were confident he would (and he did). I am very impressed with the fact that they didn't just let things play out and that they had a number of different treatment plans running in parallel ready to be switch on at any time.

In the neonatal unit the staff again explain everything about the machines plugged into my son, which was really hard to see but once they explained it all and why, it helped me come to terms with the whole experience. What I was most impressed with is how much the staff in neonatal really care for each baby opposed to being objective about their job. But not only that, they cared for me so much as my wife was recovering in the delivery ward, leaving me on my own (we didn't have family support) watching my first son struggling to breath. The neonatal staff didn't have to offer emotional support but they did in buckets! I don't just mean one or two, I mean every member of staff there across a week's worth of shift patterns (10-20 people). They all knew my and my wife by name and when they were not tending to babies, they were supporting/talking to us and they never once sat down and chilled out (despite 12 hr shifts). We never needed anything because it was always offered first.

Throughout the entire 10 days, they offered me bedding and a pull out sofabed, so I could stay with my wife and son.

The entire experience exceed my expectations and I thank you all. Same time next year? :)