"Leighton Hospital, Crewe Maternity Department"

I was rather apprehensive about attending Leighton Hospital again after I received poor postnatal care previously after the birth of my first son in 2009 and was even considering going to a different hospital once I found out I was pregnant again. I am so glad I decided to go back to Leighton - I received outstanding maternity care from all areas of the maternity department.

My community midwife, Jan was amazing and helped me get over my anxiety of returning to Leighton and trusting them with my materity care. Jan took her time to explain things to me and help me deal with a few pregnancy issues (like my little one not wanting to stay in one place! ) that caused me concern.

All the staff at the antenatal clinc based at Leighton provided me with outstanding care, always taking their time to listen to me and go through things (plus helping me when I nearly fainted after my glucose tolerance test! ).

As my son decided not to stay in one place I did end up getting a fright one morning when at 39 weeks my little one seemed to have stopped moving. The maternity triage service was brilliant, after I had a scan and found out my baby was fine, (he had just decided once again that breech and then a few hours later transverse was a better position for him at that time) Clare, one of the Advanced Practitioners in the triage area came and explained to me what was happeneing and why I had earned myself a stay on the antenatal ward. Clare was excellent, she listened to my concerns and went through everything with me before I was transfered up to the maternity ward.

Having had a previous poor care expereince on the maternity ward (postnatal) in 2009 I wanted to avoid the ward at all costs but knew there was always going to be a chance I ended up staying at least one night on there once my son was born. Jan, my community midwife had been kind enough to arrange for me to meet Sara, the Maternity Ward Manager. previously before my surprise admission to the maternity ward with a transverse lying baby. Sara listened to what had happened to me previously, apologised for the poor care I received and reassured me that things had changed. I had left the meeting feeling that whatever happens I knew I would receive excellent care on the ward in contrast to my expereince in 2009.

I was only on the ward 24hrs before my baby decided to turn himslef round to the right way again and I was discharged home but the care on the ward I received was outstanding. The ward staff were brilliant, there was a relaxed atmosphere and even the hospital food was good!

My blood pressure started behaving badly at 41 weeks 5 days (I was induced previously and was getting stressed about being induced again at 42 weeks) and after visiting maternity triage again, I was admitted to be induced.

Being induced is not a very pleasant and I remembered how out of control I felt in 2009. Kate (over night) and Emma (during the day) looked after me during my labour and birth of my son. I received excellent support and outstanding care from both midwives who took the time to listen and offered advice.

As predicted (by me) I did end up on the postnatal ward having had a few units of blood after the delivery of my son but thought I would be home withon 24-48hrs. While on the ward the staff were just as amazing as they had been during my antenatal stay a few weeks previous. They supported me with breast feeding my baby, looked after us both and were always on hand to offer advice if needed.

Unfortunantly I developed sepsis 48hrs after giving birth and became a bit poorly. I ended up back on Labour Ward for a few days to receive close monitoring and antibiotics.

I was finally allowed home 5 days after giving birth.