"Delivery of my first baby"

Anything else?

My contact with Dudley's Midwifery Service started in September 2012 when I came under the care of the Community Midwives for my first pregnancy. From this point onwards the care I received from a member of staff was superb! I felt fully involved in all aspects and at all times was treated with both dignity and respect. Following an abnormal blood reading I was called into a specialist clinic at the hospital. Obviously this was a very worrying time but we were immediately reassured, fully informed of possible complications and counselled by a specialist, prior to further tests. The way in which this matter was dealt with (swiftly, factually, reassuringly) helped us to deal with the pending results. Fortunately our little girl was born without the condition, however I feel that families with a different outcome would have been properly prepared and supported by this excellent team. My care from the Community Midwives was exceptional and even when my named midwife was off sick, continuity of care was continued to the same high standard. On the day of delivery I was able to use the Birthing Pool, as per my birth plan. This experience was second to none and I am extremely grateful to the delivery team for their care and support. When complications arose the Team were calm, swift, efficient and highly professional and whilst continuing to help me to deliver naturally, as per my wishes, were arranging for an emergency Caesarian. I can only describe the transition from the pool to theatre as calm, professional, supportive and serene. Somehow the Team managed to change what I would have imagined to have been a distressing and frightening experience into a routine every day thing, it almost felt like a natural transition and indeed both my Husband and I felt totally calm, relaxed and indeed redundant in the process as the Team took over. In these circumstances this was the best way to feel! My memory of the caesarean procedure is hazy as I intentionally blocked out everything to stay calm; I was only able to do this due to the constant reassurance from my Midwife who stayed with me throughout the whole delivery (this was unexpected but vitally important to me) and the surgical team. At 13:57, only 7 hours after our arrival at Russells Hall our beautiful daughter Lily Dawn was born. The aftercare continued at the high standard received from September 2012 and my 1 night stay (I was offered 2 nights) was comfortable, supportive and even in a delivery suite with newborns, somehow relaxing! Postnataly my care continued at the highest standard despite being added to midwife caseloads (as my midwife was off) I at no time felt hurried or rushed and only have the highest commendation for this Team and their Managers. The magical day of our first born's birth remains magical only as a result of the hard work, professionalism and genuine care for my wishes and our babies safety of this fantastic team. Thank you all!