"Having my baby at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol"

Anything else?

Six weeks ago I had my baby boy at this hospital and I can not speak more highly about the care we received and how wonderful the experience was. For various reasons I was eventually granted a cesarian and the lady that i had to persuade also carried out this operation. Another person i had to persuade was the head of midwifes who visited me that evening in the hospital. The operation itself was ok. We were told in detail at every opportunity what was happening and what was going to happen next. During this time, we had our choice of music playing. The staff in the operation made me feel very secure and even made me laugh at one point. The anethcist stroked my head at key points while the nurses cleaned my baby very quickly so he could go straight on my skin. I stayed at the hospital for four days and three nights and felt totally safe in their care. Never did my partner and I fell patronised or rushed. My baby cried a lot at first and the midwifes would discreetly take him away to give me some time to sleep. once I found a midwife rocking my baby boy to sleep patiently without any annoyance or worry at all, he had been crying for a long time and she was not the least bit irritated by this. The second day a lovely lady realised my son was tougue tied and performed the operation there and then giving me time to make the decision first and then giving me loads of advice on breast feeding afterwards. Every midwife I met was kind, patient and genuine. Regularly I was given pain killers and antibiotics, my blood pressure was taken and I was always asked how I felt. We had a kitchen to use with fresh sandwiches, coffee/ tea any time we liked and three meals a day at out own canteen. Even the staff in the canteen we marvellous and would bring our food to the table if we could not manage it ourselves. Initially during the night I was worried to ring for help but the midwives were so gratious that you soon forgot. Until my bay was feeling properly and had put on some weight was I allowed to go home. A midwife took us down to the main reception and hugged me good bye when we left at last. I was tearful to leave because of the terrific support I had received and would miss this and their friendliness. While I was there, there were other mothers that had been home with their babies but had struggled to feed them etc so had come back to stay again and get the support they needed. Other mums I met were staying even though they had not had their babies but were so close that they were in hospital when their baby did arrive. I have heard of so so many awful experiences of child births at other hospitals, how neglected and rushed they had felt. This hospital is truly exceptional. You will feel totally safe in this clean, professional and caring hospital. However difficult the birth of a baby is, this hospital is certainly the best at dealing with this. I cant believe that having a baby at a private hospital would be any different to this.