"Care from MGP 4 and 5 at Kemh"

Throughout my pregnancy, Jascinta provided exceptional care, ensuring that both me and my baby were well looked after at every appointment. Her attention to detail was evident, especially when an inaccuracy was found in a report from a private ultrasound centre. Jascinta promptly referred me to the hospital's ultrasound department for a thorough check and any necessary follow-up.

She was respectful of my birth plan as discussed during our antenatal appointments and adhered to hospital protocols without pressuring me to alter my original decisions. Even though Jascinta had to focus on reporting during my labour, she led the process with confidence, offering gentle and calm guidance. Student midwife Cathlin also played a crucial role, proactively ensuring that the baby's heart rate and water temperature were properly monitored during the water birth.

Following the birth, Jascinta and Cathlin made home visits to check on me and the newborn. On Jascinta's day off, her replacement, Holly, continued the home visits seamlessly, demonstrating excellent communication and thorough handovers. When issues arose with the baby's temperature and weight, Holly referred us to the emergency centre. This led to a two-night stay in neonatal care, during which I faced some challenges.

The first night, I was placed in a poorly ventilated room in ward 4 and was told that once the baby's temperature stabilized, they would be moved to my room. With no nurses available at the counter during the night, I felt uneasy about having the baby in ward 4 with me. Fortunately, the baby managed to regulate their temperature by morning.

On the second night, I was told to stay at Agnes Walsh. However, as a new mother recovering from childbirth, the frequent trips between the main building and Agnes Walsh for every three hours to feed my baby were very stressful.

Holly took immediate action to address my concerns by speaking with the hospital manager. This resulted in baby and I moved to ward 3, where I received diligent care from overnight shift midwife Dee and morning shift midwife Nicola. They were attentive to both me and the baby's needs. Holly also took time to drop by ward 4 to check on me. I really appreciate Holly's effort in ensuring me and baby to stay together in this difficult time.

During our time in neonatal care, I encountered an unpleasant interaction with a nurse coordinator. After answering a phone call from my partner, the baby became unsettled. The nurse coordinator criticized me for using the phone and feeding the baby, which felt unnecessary, especially given my stress about being away from my toddler. No assistance was provided, and the nurses seemed preoccupied with their own conversations. I had to seek help from the counter to look after my baby while my child waited outside the neonatal unit.

Despite these challenges, Jascinta's return to her shift and continued home visits were a relief. She provided a plan for supporting the baby's weight gain, which proved successful. After completing 10 days of home visits, Jascinta transitioned our care to our local child health nurse. Throughout this process, she was attentive to our questions and open to my partner's input.

Both my partner and I are deeply grateful for the care we received from Jascinta and Holly. They demonstrated exceptional dedication and compassion, going above and beyond in their roles.