"Excellent maternity care"

I wish to thank the team involved in my pregnancy and the delivery of our baby in July of this year.  Unfortunately I have forgotten some names in the time that has passed but still wanted to relay our absolute thanks and appreciation of the outstanding care we received.

My first thanks of all to Lisa from the Maternity and Neonatal Interventions Service.  I found this pregnancy very difficult emotionally as it quickly followed a missed miscarried, which I had been a more traumatic time for me than I would previously have imagined.  I would describe Lisa as very much being 'alongside' me in my experience of this pregnancy.  She knew the right things to say and when to listen.  My experience of being pregnant with and delivering my baby was infinitely better than it would have been because of Lisa.  My anxiety about the pregnancy really reduced over time, and did not transfer into the parenting of our son.  We will always remember what she did for us.

I also had excellent experiences with Obstetrics and in the joint Endocrinology Clinic.  I really felt that I trusted the team implicitly in the care of myself and my baby.  Dr Brennan, Consultant Obstetrician listened to and respected my preferences for the delivery.  She brought clarity and calm to the antenatal review appointments and I was really grateful for her rearranging our 20 week anatomy scan so she could be present for continuity of care.  Dr Freel, Consultant Endocrinologist was amazing throughout in every regard, from prior to my becoming pregnant again, with regular updates, involving me in decisions around my care and with such dedication to patient care that was in itself a reassurance.  I do not feel I could have received better care for myself or our baby.

Though I was Consultant-led, I had a really good experience with midwifery care too in both QEUH and the New Victoria.  I had a good experience with everyone I met, my care always felt personalised to me and that the teams had my interests and that of my baby at heart.  Though I have forgotten the names of many others whose faces I will always remember, my particular thanks to Abbie Rose for her warmth, calmness and kindness.

I have forgotten the names of the team involved in the delivery of our baby by caesarean section but also had a positive experience down to the wee green hat selected for our baby with an Irish name!  Postnatal care was brilliant, the team were so welcoming and involving of my husband too in the holistic approach they provided.  We look back on those early days on the ward with happy memories.  Again, there are others I have forgotten, but Louise who looked after us on our first night post-delivery was was so gentle, kind and just overall delivered excellent care to us. 

Special thanks must go to to Arlene in the community midwifery team.  We appreciated so much her advice about breastfeeding.  We had some initial difficulties with my son latching on and felt very much listened to and grateful for in those early days, for the time, kindness and humour she brought.  I still recall her advice with a smile.

I work in the NHS myself and was really so grateful to have had such brilliant care for myself and my son.  I know that services are very busy at present- this did not reflect however at all in the care we received.  I feel we received the very best of care clinically, but also delivered with kindness and with individuality to us.  I will always be so grateful to all of the team involved.