‘‘A positive experience’’

My name is Jen Arvid and I had my second baby at Princess Royal Hospital (Prh)just after coronavirus lockdown struck.

We have called her Juno, meaning “protector of women” which felt appropriate with all the incredible women who have looked after me and her.

I went into labour around 6am and used my hypnobirthing practice to manage the surges (contractions) at home for as long as possible.

With my first child this took about 24 hours so I thought I’d have a while to go still.

As normal, we called the labour ward at PRH to let them know what was happening.

They were really supportive and said we’d be welcome to come to the ward at any point if we wanted a check, but my husband could only stay with me when I was in active labour and therefore using the delivery suite.

My husband and I decided we’d rather stay at home for as long as possible with the hope that we could stay together once we got to hospital.

Things ramped up pretty quickly after we contacted the hospital and by 9am I knew I was ready to go in.

We were met at the entrance to the ward and taken straight to a delivery room, so my husband came too.

I remember now that I’d been told that second babies can come quicker and it was certainly true for this one. Thirty minutes later our beautiful daughter was born.

During the time I was in labour we had two midwives with us all the time.

They were so calm and caring but just let me do my thing.

i remember asking at one point what I should be doing and was told “just go with it, you’ve got this!”

I felt so totally empowered but supported too.

What I hadn’t realised at the start was they were wearing PPE, but I honestly didn’t notice it at all.

I am so grateful they let me have my husband with me all of time that I was in the delivery suite.

I was then moved to the postnatal ward and we said our goodbyes before I was moved as he couldn’t come with me.

It was sad knowing my husband was going, but I was comforted by the fact he was going back to our toddler at home.

I was the lucky one because it meant that I could rest with our new baby and get to know her.

I had the most incredible 24 hours of care and was really able to focus on Juno.

It also gave me a chance to ask any questions about feeding and generally looking after baby.

I was lucky enough to be able to face-time with my husband a lot during my stay.

The coronavirus precautions were there all the time and I never once felt at risk of exposure.

The midwives all wore PPE and changed their gloves after each examination. Loads of hand washing took place and hand sanitising too.

They distanced all the mums as best they could but we’d all been isolating prior to birth anyway so it really did feel very safe.

The view from Bolney Ward is incredible and the whole time I was there I felt peaceful.

I was anxious in advance, but honestly the whole experience couldn’t have been any more positive.

Thank you very much.