"Awe-inspiring care and professionalism"

Words will never adequately capture my gratitude to the wonderful staff at KEMH - from the outstanding continuity of care program provided by the midwives in MGP4 through to the wonderful professionals on Labour Ward 5 and the incredible ICU team!

I had heard that King Edward Memorial Hospital had a midwife led program for giving birth and while I was initially very cautious about going public over private (nearly everyone I knew was going private), the midwife program was recommended to me by a friend and I am so glad she did - I am now completely converted by the MGP4 experience - words cannot describe the exceptional standard of care I received or the dedication of the incredible professionals I had the privilege to meet. 

The midwife led birth program - MGP4 - meant that I met my midwife Carissa when I was 20 weeks and it was Carissa (and student midwife Jascinta) who were with me throughout my pregnancy, delivery and postpartum. 

Firstly - Carissa. Each time I met with Carissa in the lead up to the birth of my first child, she provided expertise and reassurance which gained my trust and confidence in the MGP4 program. Carissa was able to answer all my questions and encouraged me to call anytime (which I did!) and if she wasn't rostered on that particular day, her offsider Lolita would take my call to walk me through any issues or concerns I might be having. 

Carissa also organised for me to have an appointment with Lolita so that in the event Carissa was on leave when my baby came, Lolita would be a familiar face, once again ensuring an outstanding continuity of care. 

In the months leading up to the birth of my baby, Carissa (and Jascinta's) warm and friendly care eased both my nerves, anxieties and concerns and those of my husband and I knew that they cared for both me and my unborn child in a way that could not be bettered in either the public or private system.

When it came time for my baby to be born, Carissa - who had just finished a day shift when I called to say my waters had broken - came back into work (around 7pm) and then stayed with me until the birth of my son at 5:30am the following day.

It was a difficult birth with complications, however, the trust and rapport that the MGP4 team had built with me over the preceding months meant that I had complete confidence and faith in them each step of the way.

Thus, even during my most scared and vulnerable moments when I was ready to give up, I was surrounded by familiar faces who encouraged me and supported me in a way that I will never forget!

During the delivery, there was another midwife also present - Liz - who was absolutely exceptional and who was again, also a familiar face as my husband and I had attended the parenting classes run by the MGP4 team where Liz had been a presenter on one occasion. Liz's witty sense of humour and skill - after being woken up and called to come in at 3am in the morning - were exceptional!

Together, with Carissa and Dr Jade - who I felt managed the birthing complications with great professionalism and care - my little boy was born and my own postpartum recovery has been outstanding (given the complications of the birth) as a result. I was walking hours later and through the exceptional care of physiotherapy team, have continued to recover well.

A special mention must also be made with regards to Jascinta, the student midwife who together with Carissa, was with me each step of the way, from 20 weeks pregnant to birth and even attending my post-birth 6 week appointment. Jascinta is an absolute credit to the Curtin University Midwife Program and will be a first class midwife upon qualification in my opinion. It will be a great privilege to provide this feedback to her course coordinator also as she is an outstanding human being and will be a wonderful health practitioner (and hopefully future MGP4 midwife!)

Following the birth of my son, I spent some time in Labour Ward 5 where two exceptional midwives - Judy and Celeste - also went above and beyond. Judy spent several hours one day helping me learn to feed my baby and establish good feeding habits which set us up for success. Similarly, Celeste (who helped me with discharge) had an attention to detail that I felt went above and beyond and has been so vital to my own postpartum health care.

There were many other exceptional midwives on Ward 5 - I only wish I could remember their names. There was the midwife who works nightshifts who helped me settle and feed my baby while also helping me get some rest (I hadn't slept in three days at one point) and the midwife who knew that clean sheets and a tidy room calmed me down and who did both for me when my son was taken to ICU one night. I will never forget their kindness.

I must also thank the ICU staff - especially nurse Julie, Dr Steven and Dr Mary. The entire Special Care Nursery (SCN2) staff were outstanding (especially the poor nurse who my son puked all over!).

On a separate, I have no doubt that Dr Harriet of SCN2 also saved my son's life when I called SCN 2 from home one night with my son to express concerns about his health. Dr Harriet listened to our concerns and encouraged us to bring our son back to KEMH, which undoubtedly saved his life. Dr Adam, who cared for our son before he was transferred to PCH when we came back to KEMH, was also an extraordinary professional whom we will never forget.

I believe we would not have our son without the wonderful team at KEMH and we hope very much to give him siblings in future through KEMH (and especially MGP4). Your professionalism and care is awe-inspiring. Thank you, thank you, thank you!