"Giving birth"

I gave birth at the Borders General Hospital in October 2018. I had planned for a low intervention birth, but required an induction and things went awry from there! However, throughout my labour my husband and I received extraordinary care from the midwives and ancilliary staff on Ward 17 and the Labour Ward.

My labour progressed extremely quickly, moving from 0-4cm in an hour, and from 4-8cm in another hour, and the pain was quickly becoming unbearable. I requested an epidural, and I remember that the anaesthetist came despite having gone off duty. With pain relief I was able to be much more present in the birth, and despite the effects of the epidural being lopsided (I was still getting contractions on my right side!) I was much more comfortable.

The midwife stayed with me throughout, reassuring me and keeping me comfortable. Once the active phase began I was coached by the midwives about how to push, and when, and they ensured that despite the higher odds of needing a C-section, that I was able to give birth vaginally to my son.

Shortly afterwards I suffered a major postpartum bleed. Despite the urgency the midwives remained calm, their professionalism reassuring me that I would be okay. It was obvious that they had drilled for this scenario, and at no point was there ever any sense of panic. It should have been frightening, but I never felt anything other than safe and cared for.

Five days after the birth I needed to return because of mental ill health, and I met with the same levels of care and compassion. I would not hesitate to give birth in the BGH again - indeed walking onto Ward 17 feels homely now. I cannot thank the staff enough for their care and professionalism.