New mums in Harrogate praise "incredible staff"
We've been on the maternity ward to mark 75 years of the NHS
The NHS turns 75 today.
To help mark the anniversary we've been given exclusive access to the maternity ward in Harrogate to talk to new Mums about their experiences.
Emily spoke to us about her midwives - just a few hours after giving birth to baby Freddie: "The care that I have received in the last four days is just second to none, I remember when I was in my most painful moment I said I'm not doing this again, and now I'm like I can't wait to do this again, can I book you all for next time because it was such a good environment."
Emily spoke to us shortly after being induced and said the care she has had throughout her pregnancy has been amazing: "Calm, friendly and just relaxed as well. We've had a few times when we've had to come into the unit for reduced movement and just to double check that everything was ok, and everyone was really lovely then and reassuring and overall a great experience."
"It still amazes me to see bump to baby"
Rachel Robson is a midwife in Harrogate and has been doing the job for more than 20 years: "We talk about it being a vocation, a passion, and it really is, and long shifts can be hard, particularly the times when it's busy and you might not get much of a break, but you absolutely end up doing it for the love of it. I wish I'd kept count of how many babies I've caught. It still amazes me, going from bump to baby".
Lysia is a midwife who is also responsible for training others. She says it's a job she adores: "Something simple like I've just said goodbye to a couple who have been here ages, and just them seeing you across the corridor and waving and knowing they recognise my face, they think I've done something to help them and support them, and seeing them become parents for the first time."
"Not every shift is easy and they are the things that everyone hear about, but actually the shifts where you come in and you just give that care and you think I did a good job there, I made someone's life better and I did a good job today."