"Brilliant Birth Centre"

I would like to say a huge thankyou to all the staff working in the birth centre for the excellent care I received while with you. I gave birth to a beautiful little girl on 14th July last year in your unit and can't commend the attentive care I had highly enough. I apologise for taking so long to write this but as you can imagine I've had my hands full with the little one! Our experience on your unit appears very different from the poor maternity care that is often reported in the papers and this is why I felt it necessary to write this message. Following a very low risk pregnancy I was referred to your midwife led service for my final weeks of pregnancy in preparation of the birth. As a first time mum I was fairly anxious about the birth. At my first visit the midwife discussed my birthing options an was kind and empathetic leaving me much more relaxed about what was to come. She also explained that although it is a midwife led service if any problems occured in labour the centre was located next to the regular delivery suite where all the doctors, theatres etc would be on hand should an emergency occur. I would also like to mention that the reception staff were very helpful and friendly which also helps allay any anxiety felt. I attended the clinic on a weekly visit and was lucky enough to see the same midwife each time which really helped make me feel confident in my care. When I finally went into labour at midnight on a Saturday I phoned the unit and was asked to come in where I was examined immediately and was sent to a ward as I was progressing quickly. Just two hours later I was transferred to the birth centre for delivery. I had one to one care which I can not fault. All the midwives caring for me were excellent! The delivery itself was a little difficult and in the end we needed a doctor to assist who came immediately when called. With a little assistance I was able to deliver my daughter safely and without any pain relief as I had chosen. I really can not thank the staff enough for giving me the opportunity to give birth how I wanted. Without them being as kind and understanding as they were I really don't think I would have been able to do it the way we did. I cannot recommend the service highly enough. Thankyou all so much for helping me with the most amazing event in my life.