Inverclyde Royal Hospital community midwife unit praised by new mums

The caring team from the community midwife unit in the hospital recently scooped the Tele's Health and Care Champions of the Year at our community awards night.

New mum Lindsay Montgomery today hailed the outstanding care she received all the way through her pregnancy, then for the birth of her baby boy Jack in the unit and in the first few days afterwards.

She was joined by her new neighbour in Inverkip, Rachel Henderson, a neo natal nurse, who was supported by the CMU to have a home birth.

Senior charge midwife Clare Monaghan and her team continue to operate a five star all inclusive service so more mums can give birth close to home.

Lindsay, 31, from Langhouse Place, said: "It was just the best experience from start to finish. I am so glad I was able to have Jack in the community midwife unit, we were so well looked after.

"Clare was just amazing with me. I thought I would have my baby in the RAH in Paisley with consultants.

"Clare spoke to me when I was pregnant, gave me a tour of the unit and explained what was provided. I was a low risk pregnancy. She gave me the confidence to make the decision.

"I decided to book in to the community midwife unit, and it was the best decision I made."

Primary school teacher Lindsay, who is married to firefighter Jamie, says it was the perfect start for Jack, who is now ten weeks.

She said: "I think the community midwives here in Inverclyde are just amazing.

"It was so lovely having Jack at the unit because I was with the people who had cared for me during my pregnancy."

The community midwife unit in Inverclyde provides full and all-round care for women through pregnancy, birth and once baby arrives.

Mum Rachel Henderson went from one extreme to another when she was choosing where to give birth to her second child.

Rachel, 26, from Langhouse Place, Inverkip said: "I am neo natal nurse in the Queen Elizabeth. For the birth of my first baby son Murray, who is now 18 months, I decided on the hospital. I just thought that would be the best place.

"My pregnancy was straightforward and went to plan. 

"So I decided with the support of the community midwife unit in Inverclyde to have my baby Struan at home.

"It was the most wonderful experience from start to finish, so relaxed. Our parents were there for Murray. It was so calm and the way I felt a birth should be. My midwife Liz who did so much of my care was on call when I went into labour.

"She was with me the whole time.

Husband David said: "I was a bit unsure at first but I trusted Rachel, she looked into it all and researched it."

Senior charge midwife Clare now hopes the CMU at IRH can go from strength to strength as a welcoming and safe place for women to come through all stages of  their pregnancy.

It also has personal touches such as special artwork on the wall where every born in the unit this year will be mentioned.

It was created by Clare's daughter Ava and her sister Lynsey Hotchkiss.