"Emergency C-Section"

I was due for a planned section but our daughter decided to come earlier than the planned date. New Year's Eve was not a great time for her to make that decision. The maternity department was absolutely rammed full. However, at all times, I was treated like I was the only patient, I never felt marginalised nor unimportant. I spent one night on the antenatal ward and the staff were, without exception, delightful. I then spent the 2nd night between antenatal and delivery and again, the staff were all wonderful. I then had to spend 8 hours in recovery waiting for a bed to become available on post natal and then spent 2 nights there. I was lucky enough to be able to have my own room and was astounded at the sheer number of mums and babies being looked after on the ward. Again, all staff were lovely but there was a distinct difference in approach between the older midwives, who were keen on me formula feeding my daughter, and the younger midwives, who asked me what I wanted and encouraged me to feed her myself. The staff were run ragged. I counted the call bell being rung over 80 times on my last night there, with a ward of over 25 mums and babies. There were a handful of midwives who were exceptional but all were kind, caring, helpful and attentive. I just wish they'd all been unanimous in their approach and advice. I would absolutely recommend this maternity department, and all those involved in my antenatal care, to any prospective parents.