"My positive experience"

I recently gave birth to my little girl at the Lothian Birth Centre, I hadn’t been made aware of there being a birth centre and labour ward to chose from depending on the type of birth you wanted but when I was offered the Birth Centre when I arrived it sounded ideal. As a first time mum, my biggest fear had been being in hospital and some recent press had me worried about what I might experience. 

The room I was taken to was much bigger and less of a hospital environment than I expected or knew was possible when giving birth, a large birthing pool and en suite made me feel comfortable and my husband had a comfortable fold out bed which was perfect for after birth. 

The ambience throughout my labour was perfect, with fairy lights and sensory lights, the dark setting also took away the expected feeling of being in hospital with bright lights. 

The staff were exceptional, my midwife (Shauni) didn’t leave my room the whole labour, when she did manage a well earned break, I was introduced to other colleagues and got to know them too. The communication throughout was excellent, I was made aware of where I was in labour, options explained to me and my decisions supported. At every point, my midwife asked before undertaking any procedures. Every midwife I saw in the birthing centre was friendly, knowledgeable and supportive. 

After birth I was well supported with dignity and offered tea/toast, a shower, given ice packs with lavender oil and a lovely gesture of handmade knitted items for baby from volunteers and postpartum pads before being wheeled up by my midwife to the ward to be looked after. She made sure I was settled in before finishing her shift. 

Overall, I can’t speak highly enough of my first birthing experience, I wish I had read similar stories before my experience which I why I was so keen to share my story.