No hesitation for first time mum who backed Downe

No hesitation for first time mum who backed Downe

30 March 2016

FIRST time mum Martha Lowry from Tyrella had no hesitation choosing to give birth at the Downpatrick unit.

She knew other women who opted for the midwife-led unit and explained she never had a moment’s hesitation about two week old Shauna being born locally.

Referred to the unit by her GP, Martha said everyone she spoke to about the facility had only good things to say about it and had a really positive experience.

“There was never any hesitation about coming here,” she continued. “My experience was really personal. When it’s your first baby you do not know what to expect and think it is going to be a terrible and bad experience, but it wasn’t. The staff are so good.

“I can look back and say delivering my first baby here was a great experience and I have told my friends what a great place this is. I have also joined the unit’s maternity services liaison group and am keen to not only support the unit but promote this wonderful facility,” said Martha.

The Tyrella mum said she is passionate about the Downe Hospital and the services it provides, in particular, the midwife-led service.

“This is a very friendly place. You build up a rapport with the midwives and the facility is not like a hospital. You actually feel at home here and that is very important,” continued Martha. “It is so important to build relationships with staff as you prepare to give birth and the ante and post-natal service the midwives provide is excellent.”

Martha said when she learnt about the maternity group she was immediately keen to get involved and admitted that she would have no hesitation using the midwife unit again.

“Access for husbands, partners and family members is excellent. My husband was able to stay with me which I thought was amazing and I am really grateful for that. The staff are brilliant and I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me and all the other mums.

“As my husband said, you would not think this facility is a hospital. The delivery suite does not look anything like a hospital room, the atmosphere is so relaxed and everyone is so friendly.”

Martha added: “I would encourage mums to come here. My GP surgery referred me here and am so glad this happened but I know that is not always the case. This is a fantastic facility and would thoroughly recommend it. A lot of the staff are local which is reassuring and it’s like the unit is its own little community where everyone is together. It is a fantastic facility.”