"My experience with Ipswich Hospital maternity ward and Special Care Nursery"

Recently my son was born. I had been to the hospital the day before, for an antenatal appointment. My son's heart rate was through the roof, so it was recommended that I be admitted to look at delivering my son. I was 38 weeks and he was also laying transverse so after some discussion, we had planned to deliver via caesarean section. Dr Katie performed my operation and I felt very comfortable with this as I had seen her quite a few times in the clinic. 

The delivery of my son was perfect, no complications and he let the world know he was here by screaming the theater down. We went to recovery and that was all fine too, he was feeding great, I was feeling good after my op. We went to the ward and it was there that the midwives (Naomi and Susan) felt his colour wasn’t great. They called through to the special care nursery and took my son along with my husband to the nursery to be looked at. Thus began our long stay in special care. 

As I had to wait for my legs to come back after my operation, Naomi, helped me get up and get showered so that I could go around and see my new baby. She had also organised with Susan to let my husband come back up later (after regular visiting hours) to see him. 

I was not prepared for what I saw when I got to him. He was in a crib on cpap as he was experiencing respiratory distress. His condition was deteriorating and they were in constant contact with the Mater hospital in Brisbane as he was possibly going to need to be transferred to the newborn icu. Throughout this whole experience, it was always explained to me what he was experiencing, what the treatment options detailed, how we ended up here in the first place. More importantly what was even more appreciated, was the hugs that were given when I went to pieces, passing of tissue boxes to wipe the tears when it all became too much, organising mess for me when I had been there for 10 hours straight, the breast feeding support, allowing me to help in his care, because I couldn’t hold him for the first few days of his life, because he wasn’t stable enough. 

Heather, Robyn, Janet, Erika, Margot and Sharnie got me through some very, very tough days and for that I will never forget them, along with Dr Karen and Dr Sam I will be eternally grateful for them giving my new son the best possible start to his life.