I gave birth to my son in November 2011 in the birthing centre, but needed to receive some treatment post birth, and so was transferred to the maternity ward for 3 days.

My (albeit) brief experience in the birthing centre was exceptional, and the operative care I received was second to none, but I did have a very difficult time in the 3 days I was recovering in the labour ward after the operation. At the time, it was seriously understaffed, I did not receive the guidance I needed in terms of breastfeeding, which was difficult enough as first time mother (it was actually other more experienced mothers in the ward who gave me the guidance I needed, thankfully) and it took them over 24 hours to get their paperwork organised to discharge me (I was told at 10pm on the Sunday that I could go home first thing on Monday morning, and ended up leaving at 1030pm on the Monday night). I was also discharged with conflicting advice on the medication I should be taking.

I sent a letter to the hospital ombudsman the week that I was discharged. Things may have improved since then, because I believe that there was a review of the labour ward services as a consequence of my letter, amongst others received at the time.