I had my first child in 2020 at the height of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Nothing about the latter half of my pregnancy and birth was as planned. This culminated in me developing pre-eclampsia, resulting in an induction which ultimately failed, and a resulting Caesarean birth. I then fell pregnant in 2022, but was devastated to learn at our 12-week scan that our daughter had Edwards Syndrome.

We made the heartbreaking choice to terminate the pregnancy. I was lucky enough to fall pregnant again and was determined to do things differently this time. A hands-off VBAC was so important to me, having been robbed of this experience twice before. When I arrived at the hospital in labour, Denita was assigned as our midwife. She read my birth plan, internalised it, and became my champion, even when my own resolve failed. She saw me at my most vulnerable, remained calm when I was terrified and treated my partner and me with dignity and respect.

She listened and respected our choices and advocated for us on our behalf when we were unable to find our voices. She believed in me, gave me her support and encouraged me even when I had no self-belief left and succumbed to the fear that we would lose this baby too. This was most acute when the decision for a category I Caesarean under general anaesthetic was made. In the chaos and panic, my trauma history took over, and I was lost in panic.

In this moment, she left me borrow her calm, holding my hand and assuring me that I was still in control when I felt most lost. Our baby was delivered safely, and Denita ensured that my birth plan was followed, even whilst I remained under anaesthetic. She is truly a credit to the profession, and whilst I did not get the birth I envisaged, I am confident that we made the best choices we could, thanks to Denita.