Positive thread about maternity care throughout Covid

[PuffinDoingPuffinThings]

There are a lot of threads on here about all the bad things going on right now understandably.

But I just wanted to add something positive to say thank you to midwives/all support staff dealing with antenatal and maternity care.

I am due my baby very soon and the care I have received throughout this shit show has been fantastic. I've had face to face appointments, been able to get hold of my midwife and hospital with any problems I've had, DH has been able to attend some of the later scans too when those restrictions began to lift.

There has not been a single time where I've felt the staff have been too busy for me or I've felt like I'm not getting a sufficient level of contact and care.

I've been sent online virtual tours of the delivery suite, antenatal classes etc...

I had a worry a few months back and I was spoken to within minutes and seen, monitored and on my way again within a matter of hours.

So thank you maternity / antenatal workers. Everyone is very quick to say how shit it must be to be pregnant right now but that hasn't been my experience thanks to you

I had my baby in May. She was my 3rd baby and it was by far my best birth. The midwives were so caring and attentive. I had to go back in to a different hospital after some bladder problems and i got so much help breastfeeding whilst I was in. So grateful for their care

What a lovely idea! Baby was born in August and whilst it wasn’t ideal with DH not being able to come to scans thankfully he was there for the birth. The staff were absolutely fantastic and so caring. We had wonderful care and will forever be grateful.

I love this OP!

I'm 24 weeks and so far my maternity care has been great, I've seen the same midwife every time, had no problems getting hold of anyone, my growth scans will still be going ahead, DP could come to my 12 and 20 week scan, if I've been worried they've brought me straight in to have a listen to baby. Can't fault it so far

I'm also due soon and like you have had nothing but positive experiences so far in this pregnancy. My midwife has been really, really good - thorough, approachable and I actually have seen her for every single appointment. It's a total contrast to my last pregnancy (in a different area) in 2018, where the service felt really chaotic, I never saw the same person twice and I was always made to feel like a bit of a nuisance.

I had very low expectations given that my care last time wasn't ideal and the present circumstances, but like you I've been so, so grateful, and so impressed by the care provided under such challenging circumstances. I spoke to my midwife this morning as I had been considering a home birth and she advised against this now for various reasons, including that they're having such significant staff absences due to illness and self-isolation that they're not sure they will be able to offer home birth on the day. Obviously I was a little disappointed by this but it's also just another reminder of what tough conditions they're working under.

I had dd in September. A few complications before hand (reduced movements, so a few episodes of monitoring) I can say every time (bar one in the height of the first lockdown) were very good experiences. The birth was much calmer, and I think I actually saw more midwives compared to my first birth where they didn’t believe I was in labour. I had more support with breast feeding in the 5 hours post birth than I did in 5 days they kept me in last time.

My baby was born in June and I had a lot of extra scans and appointments during the whole lockdown, most face time face and I always found them really helpful. I think if you ask for help, you generally will get it.

Not uk.
Mine was excellent in May. Small hospital, all rooms private.

Midwife visited every other day at home afterwards for 3 weeks. I had proper gynaecologist check up at 8 weeks.