"Knowledgeable, considerate and caring team"

I recently got induced towards the end of October 2024. The following morning I was moved to the labour ward to have my waters broken. 

Initially I had midwife Emily and student midwife Sarah looking after me. They were absolutely amazing and I could not have asked for better midwives to be looking after me.

I was in the labour room from about 11am and until I got an epidural at about 4:30pm I was in quite a bit of pain. Both Emily and Sarah consistently done their best to ease any discomfort I was in, by keeping on top of pain relief and giving words of encouragement.

Throughout the entire day I felt entirely at ease, as it was obvious Emily possesses a wealth of knowledge. Both her and Sarah done their very best to make me as comfortable as possible. They more than exceeded any expectations I had about the care I would receive whilst in labour; following a few not so positive prenatal experiences whilst visiting maternity triage. 

Initially my waters couldn’t be broken but after some help from the senior Midwife this was achieved. Once my waters had gone, Emily noticed that there was not as much fluid as expected. This prompted her to ask me if I thought my waters had possibly gone in the past, to which I responded I did and that I had actually expressed this concern to a consultant at a growth scan and again whilst at a visit to triage for reduced movements. Whenever I had expressed my concerns that my waters had possibly leaked, I was told both times that If I hadn’t felt “a gush of water” then the likely hood was that I had “peed myself”.

Emily took my concerns seriously and decided to speak to a consultant as she believed that my waters could have possibly leaked beforehand which would increase the chance of infection. After listening to Emily’s concern the consultant agreed it would be best to give me antibiotics whilst in labour to protect the baby from any infection. I am beyond grateful that Emily used her initiative to take this precaution and listen to what I had to say. 

Throughout the day, nothing was too much of an ask and no question was too silly. Not only did both girls make me feel so unbelievably safe and well looked after but they done their best to make my fiancé and other birthing partner (my mum) feel just as comfortable. Sarah will make a great midwife as she already possess so many amazing skills and qualities. 

I genuinely could not have asked for a more amazing midwife (Emily) to look after me whilst in labour. She has such a kind and friendly nature and I will forever be grateful for the treatment I received. 

Once nightshift came on I then had midwife Lucy and student midwife Erin looking after me. Both of whom were just as amazing as my first two midwives. I was so well looked after whilst I was in labour and again, nothing was a hassle or too much of an ask. When things progressed and I was dilated enough to push, things took a turn which resulted in me being taken to theatre to have a forceps delivery or a possible emergency c-section.

Both Lucy and Erin remained calm and collected in the rush of it all and got me to theatre very promptly. Once in theatre Lucy and Erin stayed by my side until my fiancé Ryan was in the room. They were both so supportive and comforting in what became a distressing event where I was visibly very worried and very upset. Erin continually checked in with me to ask how I was feeling and reassure me that everything would be ok.

Once baby was here safely, the worry didn’t end as he had to be taken away for an x-ray by the neonatal team who looked after him in theatre. The care he received from the neonatal team was incredible and I will write another care opinion on them expressing my gratitude. 

Once I was out of theatre and taking to AMU. Erin and Lucy continued to stay by my side. I was very lethargic and felt very unwell and Erin brought me a plate full of toast and butter- which was very much appreciated after a long day of labour and not being able to eat!

As I had just received a spinal in theatre and had a lot of medication in my system, I was struggling to move in bed. Lucy came in and helped my partner dress our baby before taking us round to the postnatal ward. Once moved to this ward, it was early hours of the following morning. 

I am so thankful to have had an incredible midwife and student midwife with me for the birth of our son and for the care I received whilst in labour and after birth. 

Thank you so so much Emily, Sarah, Lucy and Erin. You are all such a wonderful part of my son's birth story. A birth that turned out to have a bit more of a traumatic ending than what I might have hoped for was made a whole lot easier by having such a knowledgeable, considerate and caring team by my side.