Background
Paige was due to give birth on 1st of January 2023 and baby Mia decided to arrive ten days late on 11th of January 2023.
Paige was due to have a home birth. However, the 11th of January was the day of the Northwest Ambulance Service industrial action and Paige was advised to come into hospital.
My name is Paige, and this is my story.
I am originally from USA and moved to Lancaster in 2020 with my husband. We found out we were expecting our first child in April 2022.
Our first contact was with community midwives, and they were fabulous. Our scans were on time, and we were reassured all you would want to be as first-time parents.
We found out we were expecting a girl at our 20-week scan. The pregnancy was straight forward, low risk and easy, so our plan was to have a home birth. It was important for us to have our family present at the birth and to have our privacy. We wanted to feel in control and be in a familiar environment and feel calm.
Our baby’s due date came and went, and I woke up on 11 January having regular contractions. We contacted the Maternity Ward where I was advised no one would be coming to us due to the Northwest Ambulance Service industrial action and that we would have to go to Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
We initially considered staying at home, because we hadn’t planned to have a hospital birth but knew that would not be wise and that we really needed to be where there was medical care.
When we arrived at hospital the room was ready, and the maternity team let us be in the driving seat with every decision we made.
I will never forget the feeling of joy and empowerment as I felt my daughters (Mia’s) face enter the world into water.
After Mia’s birth I had a complication a post-partum haemorrhage, which was scary seeing the faces of everyone you love around you looking concerned. At this point you know something is wrong.
The midwives were calm, in control, and respectful; they made me feel everything was going to be fine, kept me informed of what was happening and everyone introduced themselves.
They went above and beyond. I would like to express a huge thanks to the midwives, theatre team, and maternity team on the ward.
- The maternity team having clearly read my birth preferences went above and beyond to help us have the birth we wanted under the circumstances.
- We felt respected and supported as we navigated pain relief, choices, and monitoring needs.
- I can’t express enough appreciation for the ideal birth experience, for the life-saving medical care and for the humanity and kindness all your staff showed us under such difficult circumstances. You are all an incredible testament to midwifery and I feel blessed to have had your support.
Extract from Friends and Family feedback
