"It felt like an angel had come down from heaven to take care of me"

As a first time mum, the idea of labour was both exciting and terrifying and I just happened to be the small percentage that had a difficult and traumatic experience. After giving birth I was immediately taken into theatre and then an hour later, taken to the HDU ward. I was terrified and had lost a lot of blood. I was hooked onto many different things and eventually my baby was brought to me. Initially, I felt very lonely but then when the night staff started it was completely different. One lady is particular (Matilda) made the world of difference. She took care of me and my baby when I couldn’t. She made me laugh. I told her I was scared and she reassured me. She even cooled me down while I slept and fed my baby when I couldn’t. And in the morning before she finished her shift, she helped me freshen up and feel human again. I never got a chance to thank her, but honestly it felt like an angel had come down from heaven to take care of me. She was so kind and has no idea how much it meant to me. In the morning, another lady was just as kind but I didn’t catch her name. She ensured I was given an amenity room as I went into the labour ward the next morning. She just spoke to me like a person rather than a patient. And she distracted me when I needed to be. She was so kind and we just spoke about our families. I’ll always remember my experience at the HDU and remember it fondly. It was such a horrific and scary time but these few individuals make me look back with happiness. They are the backbone of the NHS and not credited enough. I can’t wait for the day I get to tell my baby about these wonderful women who pride themselves in their work and how they took care of both of us. Even my husband was looked after and he felt safe leaving me that night. 

Thank you to all the staff from the beginning and end of this whirlwind of a journey. I am recovering well and my baby is thriving. The NHS is such an important institution for this country, one we often overlook or take for granted. To every member of staff who took care of myself and my family, I thank you with all my heart.