I was transferred from MOW to the birth centre after thankfully not needing to be induced. I was almost 42 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I was able to have the labour I had wished for in the birthing pool, in a calm relaxed environment with my partner, by then, being allowed into the hospital.
All the midwives I came across during my stay were caring and empathetic, but it seemed Lucy went one step bigger. Rather than feeling like she was just supporting me in labour I remember at one point she was actually crouching and pretending to push with me as though we were in the experience together. This was a massive deal to me because Lucy took over my care when my baby was not far from arriving on the night shift.
By this point, I was exhausted and started to stress that the long labour would be causing complications for my baby. Lucy kept reassuring me as long as she could, but when all became too much she listened straight away, and we were transferred back downstairs to labour ward. Lucy came with us and this meant a lot to me and my partner. It was on labour ward that my birth experience changed. It all became a rush and a panic, something I had not accounted for.
Lucy was there to explain to me at each step, so I didn't panic. In the end, I needed to have an episiotomy and lost a lot of blood. When my baby was delivered, my partner felt part of the experience as Lucy allowed him to announce whether we had a boy or girl. My baby girl was placed on me skin-to-skin, she did not cry straight away, and this was another panic situation for me, but Lucy was a reassuring face throughout.
Lucy stayed after my baby was born and supported me to try with the first breastfeed. She allowed me to have skin-to-skin contact as long as I wished and didn't take my baby to weigh her until I was ready.
We were yet again advised partners were being asked to leave shortly after the birth and this inevitably triggered my anxiety. After sharing my concerns with Lucy she was able to make an agreement with the coordinator that my partner could stay with me which was a huge deal to me feeling supported and calm after the traumatic birth we had just been through. Eventually, the time came to be transferred to the observation bay on MOW because of my large blood loss.
Lucy massively supported me in getting out of bed as I was in a lot of pain, had gone very numb, and struggled to move on my own. She helped me to clean myself up, so I was able to make the short walk across the corridor with dignity. Lucy then said goodbye to myself and my partner, congratulated us once again, and finally took the time once more to remind me of how amazing I'd done throughout, which, by this point, I thoroughly believed because of the number of times Lucy had repeated it!
It's not generally part of the plan to give birth during a pandemic, but I believe I wasn't cheated and still had the most magical experience at the birth centre. Even with the traumatic time on labour ward, thanks to Lucy going the extra mile in all that happened I was full of happiness by the end. She is a credit to NGH and to midwives all over the world and one day I aspire to be like her.