"MGP5 support and care"

We felt we were well supported through pregnancy with the MGP5 service, and though our birth in the hospital. The consistency of having the same midwifery team made a huge difference in terms of care, trouble shooting, giving us evidence-based information and choice and control. This was a key part of us having a wonderful birth experience.

This is in contrast to the experience we had at KEMH with our first birth where the whole team on the day was vastly different to what had been planned, (Family Birthing Centre midwife was off sick, midwife present who did not know us), leading to misinformation, confusion, poor monitoring of medical interventions and lack of choice or control. In the second birth, we still had a different midwife in the birth who supported us over the pregnancy, but we felt the teamwork and communication was great in the handover, as was the attention to detail and listening to us as parents. I also appreciated not having long waits in the clinic especially with a toddler in tow.

The MGP5 supported our whole family, empowered my husband to be part of the process, and were a supportive voice at the end of the phone whenever I had queries or concerns. This model made us feel so safe, and empowered us to have a very short hospital stay (1 overnight stay) leading to faster discharge time, with in home support, and less cost and congestion to inpatient services. I felt their expertise and link to further paediatric or obstetric support via hospital medical team was invaluable.

Staff who particularly stood out to us:

- Veronica (MGP5) for her holistic support and empowering choice in pregnancy,

- Hayley midwife MGP5 for her timely efficient input and support to make our birth transition from vaginal to Caesarian seamless and incredibly positive,

- Caylan MGP5 who was our steady in home midwifery support on discharge and ensured we were well linked in to the community,

- Roger anaesthetist for going above and beyond to get us music in theatre and explaining to me procedures when I got anxious (as well as effective pain management!),

- James paediatrician for incredible kindness and gentleness while being professional,

- Andrew surgeon for checking on me during surgery and doing a fantastic job,

- Liz surgeon for being the lead face we knew of the surgical team and answering all our questions so well,

- Julia theatre nurse for being so thorough and competent that we felt incredibly safe,

- the cardiologist (I’m not sure his name, South African from PcH, sounded like Shipman?) for being able to fit us in before discharge home and being so encouraging and thorough, and

- Miranda and Barbara from maternity ward who made me feel safe, so supported and given good advice with experience.