"I genuinely looked forward to seeing them"

This was my second pregnancy. For my first pregnancy I was just under standard midwifery care and would see different midwives at every appointment meaning that I would have to explain to a new midwife every time I attended an appointment. 

For my second pregnancy I was under the Continuity of Midwifrey Carer Service - Emerald Team which was a much better experience. The midwife who conducted my 12 week scan (Sarah) was my main midwife during my whole pregnancy. She would check in with me regularly and every appointment that I attended she was there. When I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and therefore consultant led, Sarah and the Team still seen me for appointments inbetween my consultant appointments, I genuinely looked forward to seeing her and she was able to explain things in detail to me that the consultants didn’t take the time to explain. 

Sarah was very much in my corner when it came to advocating for the birth that I wanted. I remained diet controlled throughout my pregnancy and Sarah made sure that I was aware of my options and helped me complete my documentation to attend the midwifrey led unit when it came to giving birth. 

However. At 39+4 weeks, it was confirmed that my baby was transverse and I would need to have a c section the next day. I told Sarah and she made a point of being there with me the next morning, she was there throughout my whole surgery, she took pictures of my baby for me when she was born and she stayed with me for my recovery and continued to check in. 

Since being discharged from hospital nearly 2 weeks ago, Sarah has still been in contact and I can’t thank her enough for her attentiveness during my pregnancy and my postpartum weeks. 

I also had the pleasure of dealing with two other midwives from the Emerald Team - Rachael and Amy. Both were absolutely amazing when it came to any questions that I had and the advice that they gave has been very helpful. 

If I were to go on to have a third pregnancy I would be more than happy to attend the Continuity of Midwifrey Carer Service - Emerald Team and I would look forward to seeing and speaking with the team. My second pregnancy was much more relaxed in terms of antenatal care and I truly believe it is down to the consistency in the midwives that you are seeing and also the amazing care that each of the midwives gives.