"Never felt more cared for in my entire life"

I would like to thank the day bed unit, prenatal ward, labour ward and post natal ward staff for the exceptional care I received. 

I was attending the day bed unit for a few months for CTG's for reduced movement. The staff were all so friendly and kind and answered all my questions. I was looked after by Gups on many of my appointments and I really looked forward to going to them. She even popped along to see me in post natal and meet baby which was so lovely!

I was admitted for induction and spend 3 nights in the ward. Again the staff here were lovely and took such good care of me. I was very nervous being admitted and they went out of their way to ease my anxiety and check in to make sure I was ok. Everything was explained fully to me and when I wasn't sure about treatment options I was given time to think about what I wanted and not rushed into anything. One of the midwifes from the ward also came to see me in post natal, I'm so sorry I've forgotten her name. 

I was moved to the labour suite to have my waters broken right at the end of night shift. The midwife who I had initially, although she only cared for me for an hour, she was so kind and reassuring and we had a lovely start to our labour journey. 

Jenna was our midwife on day shift and within minutes of meeting her I felt so safe and supported.

She explained everything to us before anything was started and asked about our preferences for birth. She reassured us as labour progressed and we has such a genuinely lovely time in her care. It felt like I had known her forever and enjoyed her sharing with us about her sons upcoming birthday. She was completely flexible and really listened to me and I was able to labour exactly the way I wanted. I have such good memories of the day baby was born and this was all thanks to Jenna. Ann and another midwife popped in and out to cover Jenna's breaks and help us as baby boy was being delivered. They too were amazing at helping me to focus and breathe and get through labour. Our baby had some difficulty breathing when he was born and was taken to the resus cot. Jenna kept my husband and I informed of what was happening and when everything was stable she let my husband cut the last little bit of his cord. Something which he had been longing to do for our entire pregnancy. Thank you so much for this Jenna, it really meant the world to him. 

Just after baby boy was born, midwife Amanda came to look after us on night shift. She did my sutures and was so compassionate and reassuring as this was being done. Afterwards she left us for some family time and made us tea and toast (the best toast ever!). When we were ready she helped me in the shower to get cleaned, got us settled down in bed and gave baby a feed. My husband I were exhausted by this point and baby was unsettled. She asked if it was ok for her to give him a feed and we were so grateful for this offer.

I drifted off to sleep and remember waking up to see her sitting in the corner of our room gently rocking and speaking to him. I completely trusted her with our baby and again this is one of the memories I will always cherish. She had only just met him but already had him settled and giving him love. I sadly lost my mum 3 years ago and Amanda felt like my mum had came down from heaven and was right there beside me looking after us all exactly like a mum would. I get tearful every time I think about this because she honestly was an angel and I have never felt more cared for in my entire life. If everyone was half of what Amanda was, the world would be a much more beautiful place. I can't thank her enough and will never forget what she done for us or how she made us feel. 

Baby boy was in NICU for 3 nights, the staff here were also amazing! I spend 6 nights in post natal. All the staff here were amazing. The band 4's all went above and beyond for us and taught us so much about how to care for our baby, helped us with breastfeeding and anything else we needed. I felt so encouraged and supported in this ward to pump milk and breastfeed when I was able to. Jenna and Amanda both popped in to see us while we were still in the ward. 

A week after Baby boy was delivered I had a hemorrhage at home and went back to hospital through triage. I had been to triage a few times before. Tina is always one of our favourite people to see. Bubbly and friendly and exactly the type of person a band 7 should be. I can't recall the midwifes name who cared for us but she was the coordinator who both helped me decide about having a spinal or full anasthetic for my surgery and advocated for me. Within minutes of me being there a cot was brought into the room for my son who was on the way with his dad and it was so nice to be kept together as a family.

Thank you Wishaw maternity for everything you done done for us!