"The birth of my daughter"

I was induced at BGH last month. The staff were brilliant.

Inka looked after me during the first day. She was encouraging and supportive and knew just what to say when my body was being slow to respond to the prostaglandin gel. The next day she came to see how I was and was genuinely pleased for me that all had gone well, I got my pool birth and I was back on the postnatal ward.

As the staff shift changed Nicole took over for the night shift. She was encouraging and, as with Inka, discussed everything with me openly. I should have pressed the bell earlier to get checked but we were all on board with the "wait as long as possible" strategy. So when 9:30pm came and I was 5-6cm dilated I was thrilled but also felt like things were moving faster than I was prepared for. Nicole kept me calm and arranged for the transfer to the labour ward.

Once in the labour ward with the pool ready, Joan, Beverley and Nadine were fantastic. They took perfect care of me and my husband. I wasn't in the pool for very long but they supported my choice to stay in the water for the birth. To be honest, I'm not convinced any of us would have had a choice in that had we agreed to get me out of the pool for the birth because my daughter was born so fast! They managed to keep me as calm as possible and were my cheerleaders when my baby arrived and afterwards, praising me and saying it was all my own work. But I know without them I would have slipped into panic-mode. All three of them were wonderful, as was the tea and stack of toast I got! I was given time to have skin-to-skin with my daughter and feed her.

Back on the ward, Susan was my night shift angel. She came to take down the synto drip when it was done and she supported me through my first and then my second night in BGH. It was lovely to know that I could press the call button for help at any point and not feel like a burden. Nicole also came to see how I was doing, also thrilled for me that it had all gone without a problem.

Dawn was a ray of sunshine and so happy to help with changing nappies and bringing tea and toast or asking for medication. She is a natural with both newborns and new mums. I wish her all the best with her midwifery course.

Ali had great chat and we had some good banter. She was also happy to answer questions and offer support wherever she could and worked away quietly getting all of my discharge notes together making my discharge completely seamless.

Susan, one of the domestic staff, was a cheerful face on the ward offering hot drinks and refreshments.

I was discharged by Kerry who answered all my questions prior to my departure and put my mind at ease that I COULD do this and all would be well at home.

I cannot thank all of the above staff enough for the wonderful way that they treated, supported and looked after me. Thank you!