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"My pregnancy and birth."

About: King Edward Memorial Hospital / Maternity

(as the patient),

Our experience with the maternity services at KEMH was nothing short of exceptional. We were lucky enough to be placed in the care of MPG4 and specifically Beck. From the beginning she provided informative and caring antenatal care that made us feel safe and that our baby was well.

Our labor and delivery journey was a challenge, although we were unable to have Beck at our birth, her partner midwife, Viv, was there for us the whole time. The birth had some complications including a drop in our baby's heart rate that led to an emergency cesarean section. There was uncertainty about whether my husband could be present due to the possible need for me to go under a general anaesthetic to get baby out as quickly as possible. Thankfully, the situation improved, allowing for a normal cesarean with my husband by my side. Throughout this entire ordeal, Viv was our rock—her presence was comforting, and she exemplified professionalism and empathy, ensuring we felt safe and supported every step of the way.

Even amidst the chaos, the head doctor, Katrina, showed exceptional compassion and care, taking the time to hold my hand and explain the developments, which was incredibly reassuring during such a vulnerable moment. this care was also shown by all in the room including the anaesthetic team, my doctors and the paediatric care team.

Postpartum, the level of care remained unparalleled. During our two-day stay on the ward, every midwife who assisted us was not only professional but also exceedingly kind and patient, willing to address any concerns we had. Our baby required a brief stay in the nursery due to low blood sugar, where the staff continued the trend of exceptional care, making a difficult situation much easier for us.

The at-home postpartum care provided by the midwife team was fantastic, rounding out a comprehensive care experience that, despite the initial unplanned turns, left us feeling extremely grateful and well-cared for.

So, while our birth experience did not go exactly as planned, the dedication, professionalism, and genuine care displayed by the entire KEMH staff were beyond commendable. Their efforts made a significant difference in our journey, and we truly felt that they did everything within their power to support us. We cannot thank them enough for their exceptional service and care.

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Responses

Response from Delaney Gibbons, Director, Safety Quality and Performance, Safety, Quality and Performance, Women and Newborn Health Service last week
Delaney Gibbons
Director, Safety Quality and Performance, Safety, Quality and Performance,
Women and Newborn Health Service
Submitted on 25/04/2024 at 7:07 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 26/04/2024 at 8:57 AM


picture of Delaney Gibbons

Dear Cba132,

It was heart-warming to read about your positive experience at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) – congratulations on the birth of your baby.

The Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) 4 enables continuity of care from a known midwife, and I’m pleased to hear that Beck provided such support and expertise to you throughout your pregnancy. Even though Beck wasn’t able to be present for the birth of your baby, I’m glad that Viv was able to continue to provide you with such comfort and empathy during what sounds like a very challenging labour and delivery. It must have been a relief to have your husband by your side during your emergency caesarean section, and the impact of Dr Katrina’s kindness and human connection is a true testament to the genuine care that was demonstrated by the team. It’s clear from your post that the kindness and exemplary care continued through your admission, and during your home visits after discharge.

We will be very pleased to pass your kind thanks on to the individuals and teams you’ve mentioned, including midwives Beck and Viv, Dr Katrina, and the wider anaesthetic, paediatric, nursery, and ward teams – we’re very that lucky our patients get to benefit from their care, compassion, and expertise.

Wishing you and your family all the best,

Delaney
Director, Safety Quality and Performance, Safety, Quality and Performance, Women and Newborn Health

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