"The experience was perfect from start to..."

What I liked

I had my baby on Monday night in the Birthing Centre at University Hospital of Hartlepool. He was born after an incredibly short labour in the birthing pool.

He is my second child and I'm therefore able to comment with the benefit of my previous experience too, and have to say that the experience this time, from my initial 'booking in', up to delivery and being discharged back to my community midwife, has been exceptional. I cannot speak highly enough about it.

The Community Midwives are fantastic and ensure that you are part of the decision making and feel fully integrated with the rest of their teams and other mums nearby. The 'Bump2Baby' classes were especially good for this, but having clinics close by and the fact that the midwives are so accessible and caring is part of this too.

At the hospital, the fact that the Community Midwives also have a presence there continues this integration. This, combined with the amazing environment and the Midwife-led care meant that my stain hospital was actually an enjoyable one. During delivery I was completely in control of my own labour but had the reassurance of having a midwife present. The birth was everything I had in my birth plan for my first pregnancy but which I wasn't able to do-I hadn't dared hope that it was achievable this time but part of the fact that it was must be credited to the calm and supportive way in which my delivery was handled by the midwife.

After delivery I was left to get to know my baby but checked and supported regularly and encouraged to stay until I was happy to go home. Back at home, I am being visited again by the community midwives, who because they saw me whilst I was in hospital, are fully aware of my experience and know where need support.

What could be improved

I really can't think of anything that could be improved.

Anything else?

Special thanks to my Community Midwife and midwife who was in my delivery. You've both been wonderful.