Being pregnant and giving birth during these uncertain times in the middle of pandemic must be so daunting and scary. Not knowing what the hospital is going to be like, whether you will be able to have your birthing partner with you or if you will have to give birth alone, how busy will the staff be etc. etc. ? These are the questions that probably all pregnant women are asking and make them even more anxious about being pregnant and having a baby.
The Facebook support group for pregnant and new mums I have set up at the begging of lockdown has already had some babies born. I believe that all the members have enjoyed reading some of the stories the new mums shared with us and I have to say they were all quite positive and it seemed that the ladies had mostly a really good experience giving birth in Milton Keynes hospital.
Here are answers from one member of the group. As a mum of a newborn baby and two older children she has been so busy so I really appreciate that she found the time to answer some questions about her birth experience.
Q: Could you please provide some general information?
A: This was my 3rd birth and I went to Milton Keynes hospital. The birth was was really quick as I went into natural labour but went in to be induced on the same day. The whole labour must have only been a couple of hours. I had gas and air for the last part ( pushing) didn't have time for anything else beforehand as was all so quick. I stayed in hospital 6 hours after having my baby but this was in the labour room so I didn't have to be exposed to the ward. I went home at midnight. .
Q: When your labour started did you first call the hospital or did you go straight in? Did the staff seem busy/attend to you straight away /attentive/stressed?
A: I was due to go in to be induced so I went into ward nine for a certain time. It was busy but all staff were helpful and explained any delays.
Q: Who was your birthing partner (was he/she not allowed at some parts of the birth or allowed all the time? was the staff happy for them to be there?
A: My mum was meant to be my birthing partner but due to the Covid 19 partners are not aloud in ward 9 and because my labour happened so quick she didn't have time to get there. I went from1cm to 10 in the space of 30-45 mins . I was 10 cm on wRd nine and nearly ended up birthing there!
Q: How was the labour in terms of staff helping you? Do you feel that they were supportive, helpful, attentive enough?
A: I only met my midwifes on labour ward as I was ready to push so I didn't have any time to talk things through with them like you would normally and In previous labours but they were all really lovely and made me feel I could do it all on my own.
Q: How was the labour for you emotionally? What helped you get through it? (your own determination, your partner, the staff?)
A: My labour happened so fast so I didn't have much time to think or worry but I was comfortable being in the care of the midwifes.
Q: What was your overall feeling about the experience in the labour ward? (Were you able to tell we are in the middle of a pandemic? if so how? Or was it calm or hectic, busy but organised or busy not organised?)
A: My experience of the labour ward was good and very quick. Staff all wear masks on their faces which is probably the only thing which reminded me of the current pandemic.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to women that will be giving birth soon, what would you say?
A: My advice to anyone due to give birth in these times Is just to stay calm and focus on the baby coming.
Thank you for reading. I hope you find this helpful.
Have you thought about having professional maternity, newborn or family photographs done? If you want to be the first to know about my availability when my studio re-opens, then subscribe to my waiting list below.
