"It's meant to be continuity of care"

I had my baby in December 2023.

I had my first baby at Causeway Hospital in 2021 and had a midwife (Kirsty) from Lotus team, who was absolutely exceptional and really supportive. Never met someone so passionate about their job. The staff were so helpful and great in general.

Unfortunately, the maternity unit has made a switch to Antrim for labour & birth, which is a whole other conversation as I am yet to meet one mother (or midwife for that matter) who is happy with this move. Imagine you take a job doing what you love, working 10 mins from your home, only to be told you must switch to work 50 minutes away in a crowded hospital. My heart goes out to the causeway midwives.  

This decision has jeopardised the integrity of the Lotus team, in my opinion. I mean that with as much compassion as possible - because I know the NHS is on its knees. 

I tried for a homebirth and I had so many midwives come out to me (my labour was over 20 hours long), each of them bringing different energy. I ended up needing to get transferred to Antrim because my waters hadn't broken and there was a gap between the waters and my baby's head and I had been having contractions for 20 hours so we called the ambulance (which it took 2 hours for the ambulance to come and get me - even though I had a previous ceasarean - weird that.) Got strapped in and had to drive 1 hour (felt like a lifetime) while having the most intense surges, unable to move. Horrible.

Got to the hospital and my midwife had to leave and get a taxi home. So was then left in a new unexpected environment was on the verge of getting another cesearean and felt completely done. I somehow managed to gather myself together and the midwife working - who was actually nice and helpful and was doing her best to support me - tried to get me to get some rest. She dimmed the lights and turned the candles on, super helpful, and asked if I wanted to play my own music.

I managed to get a little sleep in between surges which were 4 mins apart - and after that my waters finally broke and my baby was delivered. That was good.

The aftercare was not the best. Very much left to your own devices - actually had an old Causeway nurse who came over (Maxine) and she helped me - such a great woman. But all in all just not the most supportive team unfortunately - probably because they’re  all under immense pressure. Seems like something needs to change and midwives need more support so they can ultimately be the best support for the mamas.

My visits after were probably the worst - as being in Lotus it's meant to be continuity of care and I had a different midwife for every check? Made no sense. 

Really hope the causeway unit by some miracle returns and the pressure is alleviated from Antrim.