Lauren is the reason I’m still standing.  On a bad day in March, I was rushed to triage with a small bleed. After a night of observation and being looked after by Mary, we were told the devastating news that our son was coming too early.

I was transferred to the Consultant-led unit, and on the Saturday, Lauren was assigned to us. She was just picking up an extra shift, and I’ll be forever grateful it was that one.  Lauren showed so much grace, dignity, and had so much knowledge, it made a horrendous experience that much calmer.  She not only cared for me, my husband, but also my mum.

The birth was traumatic, but Lauren managed to make the unthinkable bearable.  She walked through our grief with us, she made us feel so comfortable and our feelings valid.  She was exactly what we needed, strength when we were sad and laughing along with us offering a joke when we had no crying left.  Her extra touches made it an experience full of grace; she helped us make memories and supported us as we spent the day with our son, whom she treated with such dignity.

Unfortunately, the couple next door also lost their baby that afternoon, and Lauren cared for us both, not that I knew that as soon as she entered our room, she was professional and couldn’t help us more.

It was Lauren’s eyes I looked into as I delivered my baby, whose heart didn't beat. It was Lauren who helped me be stronger than I ever thought I could be. It was Lauren who brought our son into the world, and for that I’ll forever remember her!