Community Midwives

Home visits throughout pregnancy were invaluable in terms of saving time and energy . Midwives were caring and supportive and very helpful . Antenatal class was also invaluable (better than NCT!)

Living in Stowmarket made pregnancy experience difficult, the midwifery is led by Ipswich however I wished to deliver at West Suffolk, due to this there is a lack in communication and different guidelines for each trust, such as, if stomach is showing large during the final weeks via measurements, midwifes will refer for a growth scan as that is what Ipswich hospital will do, however, West Suffolk will not conduct the referral unless the measurements obtaining show a dip (this was after 3 appointments attended showing as "large") with Ipswich midwifes, you don't even hear babies heartbeat during no appointments until you are 37 weeks plus.

As a first time mum to be, the different trusts made pregnancy extra stressful, specially as someone who has back issues which should of been factored into account during pregnancy so that upon delivery Hospital have all the facts, due to them not doing so meant minimal options for pain relief, resulting in traumatic birth via forceps under general anesthetic which I believe is rare.

I must stress though, both trusts are nice, the midwifes I met along my pregnancy journey were polite, helpful and made me feel at ease, just like the midwifes at West Suffolk during delivery.

I will always remember the support from 1 person from Ipswich midwifery gave, not only to me but my husband too during the end of our pregnancy and days after delivery. She really is an asset.

I didn’t feel like I had a choice about induction, no discussion or even asked if I wanted it. Only offered one sweep. I had to chase my day 10 discharge appointment (19 days after emergency c section) to be checked over both myself and baby and have a stitch removed.

My midwife was fantastic. Every appointment with her reassured me, answered my questions and put me at ease.
I had a home birth and both midwives were so caring and kind. Let me do my thing, but offered support and help when needed. We ended up being transferred in to hospital for precautionary reasons and they stayed with us the whole time. Same level of cared carried on with each visit after we returned home. Cannot fault any of my experience at all!

This is my first baby and as a first time mum I feel there could be more support in place with more free classes available. The only one offered to me, which was useful, was all about giving birth. However, I feel very anxious about baby coming because I have no idea how to care for a newborn so parenting classes would definitely be useful. I have usually seen the same midwife throughout my pregnancy which has been good although at times the maternity notes written weren’t always accurate and sometimes it felt they wanted to keep the appointment short. I don’t think people get the same care either as I’ve not had any hand expression advice at 38 weeks whereas I know other pregnant ladies have been given kits to take home to do this (still in West Suffolk).

Living in Stowmarket mothers are given a choice of Ipswich or west Suffolk delivery. However when delivering at west Suffolk you are cared for by Ipswich midwives. My midwife went off sick late in my pregnancy and then I met a different midwife every week, around 6. This is really hard around the time of birth as you often feel more vulnerable, especially when being offered sweeps and checks from someone you’ve never met before and in the immediate few days post birth when hormones are difficult. The care was mostly ok. However understandably the midwives in the community don’t know how WSH works and the notes aren’t joined up at all leaving room for gaps in communication. This is as potential safety issue.

I've only had one appointment so far but the midwife I saw was lovely and very approachable.

Been great but there hasn't been a way to contact the midwives and I've ended up having to call the hospital.

Home visits have been good, they explain everything well and great.

There are times when appointments can feel a little brief and I haven't felt that I've had enough time and the packs given feel a little bit like a tick box at times.