"Overall it was great, but would like my views..."

What I liked

I had my baby in the labour ward, and I was extremely happy with the care I received. I had lovely midwives, and the experience was most definitely a positive one. My birth partner was involved, the place was very clean, I felt safe and well cared for. They did take notice of my birth plan - something I was worried wouldn't happen especially as this was my first baby. I liked that the doctor who said I could be admitted (after 3 days of sporadic labour!) listened to me and what I felt I needed.

What could be improved

The only thing I will say is postnatal wasn't as good as when I was in labour, but I know they were rather busy and I don't like staying in hospital. I was a younger mummy - they wouldn't accept that I knew my own body, I recovered from the epidural within a couple of hours and had walked to the loo already, but they were adamant I would just collapse if I put any weight on my feet and insisted I wait until a midwife came to take me. I was waiting a long time! I also felt occasionally like the midwives talked down to me because of my age. I was 18 at the time.

Anything else?

I liked the fact that the first midwife I had (who didn't end up delivering my baby) came to see us afterwards on her next shift. Lovely personal service.