"Professional yet so very human"

At 36 weeks pregnant I was rushed into the Borders General Hospital due to heavy bleeding. Upon arrival and only barely conscious two midwives were waiting for me and I was quickly taken to the labour ward. I don't remember much of what happened next but I was taken for an emergency section. I lost 4.5litres of blood and had to have transfusions... had I not been so close to the hospital at the time there would have been a very different outcome.

When I was brought back into labour ward to recover I had a lovely midwife called Anne, apologies if spelling not correct, she was amazing and although my memory is a little hazy from the time I spent in the ward I remember feeling I was in such good hands, she was warm, compassionate and caring. 

Dr Layden who delivered my daughter came to see me and was able to explain slowly and clearly what had happened the night of her arrival. She was so conscientious and spoke with such a calming tone that helped my partner and I paint a better picture of what we'd been through. What a genuine lady.

 I was then transferred to ward 17 where midwife Libby got me set up in a private room, she couldn't have been more helpful and reassuring. I was in for 8 days and so was often under the care of Libby and she was nothing short of outstanding. The way in which she explained various aspects of mine and my daughter's, recovery was professional yet so very human. Libby didn't confuse you with medical jargon but instead spoke in a calm, reassuring and completely understandable manner. I could actually see her training other midwives as she holds herself so well and you want to absorb everything she tells you. She supported me in my breast feeding too, honestly this woman is an absolute credit to the NHS. 

As you can imagine I was on a rollercoaster of emotions after the traumatic delivery and midwives Joice and Carol were on hand to offer me emotional support. Joice was involved in the early days of my stay in ward 17 and was there when I needed her as the baby blues hit on day 3. The realisation of what had happened started to sink in and she was fantastic at helping me through the tears and motivating me to continue with my breast feeding despite being completely exhausted and in a lot of pain. I have used this word a few times now but again, Joice was so very reassuring and you simply can't have enough of that. Carol had just moved back to the BGH that week after her time in Newcastle and I am so very pleased to have had the pleasure of being under her care. Carol was on shift a lot during my stay and the BGH need to know how lucky they are to have this diamond of a lady on their ward. Her breastfeeding knowledge was second to none and the support she gave me was above any of my expectations. As my daughter was so small and 4 weeks early it provided challenges that Carol helped me overcome. I cannot express enough how amazing Carol is, her love and dedication for the job shines through, I feel so grateful to have met her.

 8 days in hospital was a shock for me, I have never had to stay in hospital prior to being pregnant and as I mentioned the delivery was traumatic, on top of that my daughter lost 13% of her birth weight and required a special feeding plan and a night under the lights for her jaundice so with all this going on midwife Kerrie was just the tonic I needed. Her smiley, positive and encouraging nature are exactly what is needed in the ward. Nothing was too much trouble for Kerrie, she kept me on track when I was having a tough day and made my partner feel so welcome, it was important to me that he could stay with Sophia and I. Kerrie made me feel so at ease and ensured she checked on us regularly, I feel very lucky to have been looked after by such a lovely, caring individual.

 Not only were the midwives AMAZING, but the care assistants, Dawn in particular, were so good at checking in with me and offering yet more much needed reassurance.

The care I received at the BGH was nothing short of outstanding, they made an awful situation so much better by providing the best care from the most amazing bunch of health care professionals. The ladies I have mentioned deserve special recognition for their brilliant part in turning my traumatic arrival and 8 day stay into a positive experience. Ladies, in my eyes, your recognition and salary will never be high enough for the jobs you are so very committed to.

Calling for help

Being listened to

Nurses

Staff attitude

Staff skills