"Fantastic experience despite complications"

I began slow labour at 37 weeks pregnant. My waters broke at 40+2 and I got stuck at 3cms dilated. The staff did everything they could to help me bring on labour naturally, and when that didn't happen they were very thorough in explaining the induction process to me.

I was nervous to ask for an epidural incase I was judged for it but the midwife brought the subject up first and made me feel like any option I chose would be valid. The anaesthetist team were brilliant and did the epidural before the induction began. I could feel pressure and sensation but only very minimal pain.

I hadn't made a birth plan but the midwife asked me various questions about my preferences which made me feel as involved as possible.

I had developed sepsis due to my waters being broken for 2 days and this only became apparent in active labour. The midwives and doctors acted quickly and despite me and baby being ill they got us through it safely and reassured both myself and my partner. Everything from my mild nausea to severe tearing were treated very seriously by the midwives and doctors and I felt that they all genuinely cared about us and our outcome.

We were well looked after on the postnatal ward where the midwives were attentive, helpful and incredibly uplifting. I felt that I could ask for everything from water to breastfeeding help.

At every stage of my labour and post natal care I was given clear information and allowed to make my own decisions. I feel that my birth story could have been very easily a traumatic one if not for how well the people at St Mary's managed the situation.

Thankyou all so much for keeping my little girl and I safe.