"Thank you Homerton"

I am happy to recommend Homerton maternity unit to any future mother. I was very impressed with the services from early stage of my pregnancy. The place is new and clean, but what is the most important is that I met many fantastic people working there. In case of any concerns they offer additional scans and tests, there wasn't any problems at all to organise it.

It was my first pregnancy but because of some issues appearing in 12 weeks scan I was offered extra ones, all together 6. The booking system was quite flexible so I was able to attend all the meetings in the mornings before work and antenental classes during weekends. Few times I had to wait 15-20 minutes but that was the maximum.

Midwifes were very helpful and friendly. I have to admit that I met many of them and I don't think there is any chance to meet the same midwife during labour.

My pregnancy was generally without any problems. I had two stressful situations but additional tests have excluded the risks of potential problems.On my due date I visited the midwife and they made a membrane sweep. It wasn't as bad as many women describe it. Apparently I was dilated 2 cm and it minimised the discomfort. The midwife told me I will give birth within the next three days and actually I did, on the following night.

I decided to deliver in a birth centre without any pain killers. The room looks great (you can check it during Antenental classes), it's new, clean and quite spacious. There is a big birth pool , shower, toilet, sofa, big ball and a birthing chair (which looks a bit like toilet but it's amazing- this is how I actually delivered). There's enough space for a few people and the room makes you feel very comfortable.

My labour was long, all together 12 hours and I think I met around 5 midwifes during that afternoon , night and early morning. Some looked very young but they behaved professionally and they gave me the support I needed.

They were incredibly helpful, understanding and patient. The last hours things got very though for me, I wasn't the same polite woman, I was shouting, howling, mixing languages and in the end I was just fed up, I thought I won't make it. They constantly motivated me and helped to believe that I can make it and deliver our beautiful girl.

My baby was a big one , over 4 kilos and she couldn't go through as her hand was next to her face, so in the end I agreed to have episiotomy. One of the midwife (the most senior one) stitched me in such a way that I din't have any problems when I was healing and very quickly I came back to my old self.

One of the main negatives is that Homerton doesn't have the best parking, especially during week time. On the whole my experience was very good, as it was my first time I don't have a lot to compare it to but everything went as much as I could have hoped for it to. It only leaves me to say a big thank you to the maternity team, they are awesome!