"Induced labour leading to an emergency c-section"

Southend Hospital and its fantastic staff gave myself and my husband a really positive experience of birth for our first child.

After being 12 days overdue, I was induced then after a day and a half of waiting, then labour and then an emergency c-section my little boy was safely delivered. During this time I saw many members of staff come and go from shift work.

Beginning on the central delivery suite waiting for my induction to kick in, I was kept well informed of my options and what to expect over the coming hours. The facilities were clean and well equipped. I was surprised to learn I could have a bath if I so wish! The ward was quiet and staff respectful if you wanted to sleep and relax.

When my labour began and I was transferred to a delivery room (I was a high risk patient) I had an absolutely fantastic midwife who was incredible. The midwife worked quietly, reassured me whenever they saw I needed it, was attentive to my every need but also relaxed and chatted to myself and my husband regularly. When they went on their break, another midwife stepped in and was equally fantastic.

The first midwife was actually due to come off shift when a c-section was decided but they stayed, changing into scrubs so they could come into the theatre room and see out the delivery of my little boy. The midwife is incredibly dedicated.

During the c-section the team were jovial, there was a fantastic atmosphere in the theatre room and they made what could have been a scary experience really enjoyable. I was made to feel special and part of what was happening rather than just part of something they did every single day to no personal effect.

When my son was here and I transferred back to the ward then the incredible care of the midwife team kicked in. During the night and the day, every midwife who visited my bed or I called upon for advice for either pain management, breast feeding or looking after my baby came quickly, were incredibly attentive and provided clear advice without bombarding me. The first midwife who wasn't even supposed to be on duty on my ward, came to visit up the next day and get a cuddle with our baby.

We left hospital 22 hours after the c section (of my own decision) and returning home, used the Southend hospital midwife phone line three times over the next week to seek further advice or clarification each time receiving a service we were more than satisfied with.

Thank you to the team for the care and little personal touches which made an experience I was terrified about something I can look back on positively.