"Rockingham wing and midwives review"

I had my first baby on 19 feb 2015 in the serenity suite with a birthing pool. I was first greeted by the person with whom I spoke with on the phone earlier that day. Immediately upon seeing me he told me that he had been expecting me and put me and my husband at ease straight away (despite the contractions). He took my birthing plan seriously (I was doing hypno birthing) and his relaxed and reassuring manner was very calming and left me feeling that I was in good hands. A midwife took over and again she took my birthing plan seriously. She was, without a doubt, the best midwife I could have hoped for. She stayed with us the entire time during my labour but did not interfere unless she had to as she knew the process was special and personal to my husband and I. I honestly think that without her, my delivery would not have been so smooth. She made me feel as though I'm the only person who has ever had a baby before! Her words were reassuring and well timed to give me enough encouragement to keep going. If you read this, thank you. Rowan ward was much busier but equally as caring. It is obvious that the midwives are overworked but this didn't seem to affect their kindness and attentiveness to their patients. There was a lot of waiting but that is to be expected given the midwives to patient ratio! Due to complications, we were advised to spend the evening in the special baby care unit. I was scared and wanted my husband to stay with me and our son. Special arrangements were therefore made for us to stay in the parents room where we were given a double bed, a communal shower and communal kitchen. Given the delivery and labour, getting a shower and some privacy was enough to make me cry. The night spent in the special baby care unit was incredible. All the midwives kept saying to me were "get some rest. We will look after him" they discouraged me from waking up every 2 hours and tried to settle my son without disturbing me and only woke me when they had exhausted every method in soothing him. special thanks goes to another midwife who was brilliant. She knew right from the start that my son wouldn't settle because he was hungry and I wasn't making enough to breastfeed him. Despite this she waited patiently for 8 hours before gently encouraging me to consider giving him a small amount of formula...and of course as she knew it would, it worked a treat. Another midwife took over and again she was amazing. We learnt so much from everyone at the ward. They taught us a lot without making us feel inadequate and without any judgment. All in all Rockingham wing has the best hospital staff I have ever come across. I know the NHS receives a lot of criticism and I admit that I have also been one to criticise the system. But I really couldn't fault the staff here. The after care community midwives have also been brilliant. Their advice has been invaluable and its just so reassuring to have someone tell you that you're doing well. Thank you.