On Tuesday, February 20, I gave birth to my first child, Oliver, at Peterborough District Hospital's maternity unit.
Naturally, as a mum-to-be, I was very anxious about the delivery and the type of care I would receive.
During my pregnancy people would ask where I intended to have the baby.
When I replied Peterborough District Hospital, nine out of 10 peopl
e would frown and say how they had heard bad things about the maternity unit, commenting on cleanliness.
Naturally, I was worried for the care and safety of my unborn child.
However, these people could not have been more wrong.
Oliver was born at 2.21am following a 'crash' caesarean section. After having mild contractions at home over a period of just four hours, my placenta abrupted. It was like a scene from a horror movie.
My husband and I, unsure of what was happening, were petrified, convinced we would lose the baby. I cannot put into words how we felt or what we went through at that moment.
If it had not been for the kind, calm and sensitive voice of the midwife on the other end of the phone, the midwife waiting for our arrival at the hospital, the swift actions of the delivery team (who got Oliver out in 10 minutes), and the fantastic person who held my hand while whispering kind words, we would, I'm sure, not have the beautiful baby boy we have now.
The follow-up care on the ward was exceptional as well. When I wanted to cry, the midwives were there to make me laugh.
When I struggled to breast feed they were there to offer help and advice. We have so much to thank all these people for and we will be eternally grateful to them.
So, to all those people who criticise Peterborough District Hospital's maternity unit, you could not have been more wrong.
Every member of staff, the midwives, the health care assistants, the doctors, anaesthetists and community midwives, deserve so much more praise than they ever get. They are worth their weight in gold and I truly believe that you cannot get a better service privately.
My husband, Oliver and I raise a glass of the finest bubbly to everyone at the maternity unit. Somehow a tin of Roses just doesn't seem enough.
You should ignore the critics – they will need your help one day just as we did.
JOANNE SUMPTON
Lincoln Road,
Stamford
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