"Maternity review - very good and all staff were..."

Anything else?

I was admitted into the day care assessment unit at 39 weeks and told I would be induced. Although I wasn't thrilled at the idea of being induced, the staff informed me of the process involved and I felt as though they had the time to talk to me and I felt cared for, rather than someone on a baby production line. I was in hospital from the Friday to the following Tuesday and stayed on ward C3 and then C2 once I'd had the baby on Monday morning. The staff in C3, where I was being induced and having contractions, were all really nice and friendly. I had never stayed the night in a hospital before and although I'm 30 years old I was a little bit anxious about it, however the ladies were all so friendly and kind that I felt relaxed. Everything was explained to me in detail, but detail that I could understand. They couldn't do enough for me, even bringing me a cup of peppermint tea during the night and coming to check on me throughout. When I started having really strong contractions and felt that paracetamol wasn't touching the pain the midwives talked to me about pain relief and explained the differences so that I could make an informed decision about which one to go for. I was pleased with the decision made about pain relief, but wouldn't have been able to make it if they hadn't gone through it with me. May I also add that I some trainee midwives also cared for me and they were just as good as the fully qualified ones - just as friendly, decisive and knowledgeable. Moving down into delivery the midwife who delivered our baby was fantastic. Really clear, calm, supportive and just great. At no point did I feel scared, I felt safe. We didn't really have much of a birth plan, our plan was to not have a plan because I felt if I had have had one I'd have been anxious about fulfilling it which in my opinion you can't expect to do. The only things we wanted were for my husband to cut the cord, which he did, and for him to be the one to tell me if the baby was a boy or girl - which he did. They had read this in my notes so knew to ask him to cut the cord etc. After giving birth I was able to have a shower in an adjoining bathroom and was given plenty of time to clean up (I had my mum and husband to help me, but I'm sure that if they hadn't have been there then a midwife would have helped me). I wasn't rushed to leave the room and so when the time came to go to the next ward I felt clean, fresh and happy. Once on the next ward with my baby I was shown how to breast feed, this wasn't forced on me like some mums-to-be fear. Fortunately the baby was able to latch on and did a good job at working it all out, but the midwives again gave me lots of good tips which I've used. I had to stay the night on this ward for my blood pressure to be monitored and again it was fine, no problems at all. Once home the visits from the community midwives started and just like all of the other midwives they have been great! Thank you! Kate Dunleavy