I FEEL compelled to write concerning the same issues I put ‘pen to paper’ about 26 years ago when I gave birth to my first child.

My beautiful, healthy granddaughter was born on August 22 in Hereford’s County Hospital and her delivery and care during the birth were first class.

The midwives could not have been more attentive and reassuring throughout.

Imagine my and my daughter’s dismay, when after fewer than 24 hours, the same hospital was encouraging her to go home.

Admittedly, this was her second baby and she should have been much more confident this time around, with the demands of a new baby, breast feeding and a 20-monthold toddler, shouldn’t she?

She was not “ready to face the music” however and asked the nurse if she could go to Ludlow Community Hospital to recuperate and bond with her new baby without the demands of a home and toddler.

She did have a very supportive family and husband but she knew the benefits of spending a few days in the East Hamlet unit. The question was asked: “Why do you want to go there?” And she had to justify all the reasons although she just wanted to rest.

They also tried to pile on the guilt by saying that it involves a mountain of paperwork and would take a very long time.

Was this really the reason for not doing the best thing for this mother: paperwork and nurses’ valuable time? Is filling in paperwork really more important than the primary needs of the mother and her baby?

It took her husband to remonstrate further and they agreed grudgingly to transfer her. At 7pm that evening, nearly six hours after requesting the transfer, she was in East Hamlet.

Immediately, her supper and a cup of tea were brought to her bedside.

At Hereford, she would have had to walk to get one from a drinks machine.

I wish you could see the letter I wrote 26 years ago in September 1987, because the same is happening today in East Hamlet. Devoted time and care for the mother and baby are their priority. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff.

Incidentally, two mothers had just had their babies in Hereford, and like all new mums, they were struggling with breastfeeding and becoming more and more frustrated.

Before my daughter had left Hereford, these babies were having a bottle and both mums said they could not do it. They looked defeated.

My daughter found it difficult to breastfeed her first baby and would have given up had it not been for the dogged determination of the auxiliaries at Ludlow; after four days she was breastfeeding successfully.

Yes, that’s how long it can take sometimes and my daughter really wanted to breastfeed.

Perhaps Hereford really has not got the time after the birth to encourage and spend time with new mums to give the support they deserve. I am blaming the system, not them per se.

But surely, packing them off home 24 hours after giving birth will not set them up to be confident, happy mothers especially those who do not have the support at home.

There are statistics that show that mothers not given the best aftercare will need the NHS further down the line because they cannot cope with the demands of being a mother.

The support then comes in the shape of a pill.

For goodness sake, give mothers and their babies priority and offer them the guidance, support and encouragement they need at this most demanding time of their lives. It will make the world a better place.

JULIE SLADE

Berrington Road

Tenbury Wells