"Thank you to everyone who looked after me, the bump and the big chunky baby"

I gave birth 2years ago by emergency caesarean at the Leicester general hospital. he was born at 5. 48am in the morning towards the end of February 2011 and a big heavy chunk 9lb 9, I originally wanted a water birth but that was blown out the water when I found out I had a few complications during my pregnancy.

I had a rare blood group and had a few other complications during my pregnancy I had spent a few weeks in hospital beforehand coming and going as the pain got worse at the end of my pregnancy, and I had built up friendships with some of the nurses- or they felt like friends because they were all so nice. They made sure I was comfortable and showed me around the place. They would even come into have chats and talk. Even though they where busy they made every single patient feel welcomed and at home. It was daunting, because I was a first time single mum (still am) and was giving birth to a child who had no contact with his father and his father had made that many vile threats I already had a social worker. All the staff made sure that his father came nowhere near the hospital and made sure I was aware of what would happen if he did. When I eventually went into labour I had a lovely lady for my midwife her name was Sophie Stretson. She made sure I was as comfortable as possible and made jokes to make it less daunting. She even carried on after my waters had burst all over her trousers and top she was wearing during the labour and after I threw up everywhere.

she still kept a smile on her face and kept going at her job. She was impressive and I was so happy to be in her care and wouldn't want any other midwife if I was to have another child. Unfortunately I wasn't able to give birth naturally as my sons heart rate started to drop and he was rocking back and forth and it was distressing him so I had to give birth by emergency caesarean. Yet again they impressed me, and made sure the whole process was done as fast as possible and in the best way possible and kept me informed of what they where doing throughout the process although it was my worst nightmare.

They also made sure my constant request of donating my cord blood due to having a rare blood group (ArhDnegative)was met even though it was outside of office hours.

Having a caesarean was the last thing I wanted but my midwives and surgeons and doctors where the best I could ask for. after my son was born and I was in the recovery bit, all the nurses and midwifes that I had previously spoken to weeks before couldn’t wait to see my son and rushed in to say congratulations and take a peek at him. They helped me with breastfeeding and made sure I was given all the information I needed. I stayed on the ward for a few days but was really sad to be leaving.

The health visiting team since then have been brilliant and Linda Mills- my health visitor is lovely she has made sure I have all the information I needed and came to appointments at my house on time.

I now have a very happy toddler who talks nonstop and started walking at 9 months. He is amazing and it’s thanks to the brilliant team at the Leicester general hospital midwifery unit that he’s actually here today because he would have died without that emergency caesarean. Really can’t thank you all enough. The past 2 years of my life with my son have been amazing I've watched him grow and he now talks full sentences hugs me and tells me he loves me and that's all because he’s here today. Big thumbs up to everyone on that ward to all the doctors, midwifes, health visitors, surgeons ect who looked after me, the bump and the big chunky baby after birth thank you xx