"The staff were fantastic"

I start contractions at home, called triage at RIE who gave advice and were very patient on the phone as I had contractions whilst speaking to them.

They advised to stay at home longer, called back a few hours later and was offered more advice and reassurance and told to head into triage.

My waters broke at triage reception and I was taken straight to a room in the birth centre. The staff were fantastic as everything happened so fast (baby arrived 30 mins in), they kept calm and supported me through my birth.

I stayed in the room for several hours before being moved to a ward upstairs. Unfortunately due to staff shortage the postnatal room in the birth centre was not open so I was sharing a room with woman who were being induced or experiencing problems with their pregnancy. The midwives at this ward were also very attentive and supportive.