I would like to thank my Midwife, Jenny from the Labour Suite at QMC. I was at home when my waters broke and I was 38+6 days pregnant at the time. I was asked to go to QMC to confirm if it was my waters, as I wasn’t having any contractions, and the Midwives confirmed my waters had broken, thus sending me home for a 24-hour period to see if the contractions had started. I was advised that I would be at risk of infection and told to monitor my temperature every 4 hours. The next day the contractions started at 6am. I was told to contact the ABC Ward at 7 am to arrange for induction, as any further delay might lead to infection. I contacted ABC at instructed and was told there wasn’t anybody to speak with me, as they were too busy to call back. I contacted again at 7:30 am and I was told that somebody was getting a Midwife for me to speak to, so that I could arrange for a visit. I was on hold for 15 minutes before somebody came back and said there was no longer anyone to talk to again. Around 9 am, the Labour Suite contacted me directly and asked why I hadn’t arrived at the hospital, I explained these weren’t the instructions I had been given, but I quickly went in, and was there within 30 minutes. Due to COVID-19, my husband could not come in with me. My first midwife introduced herself to me and explained that she was an agency midwife. As a Paeds Nurse at QMC, I am well aware of the value of agency staff. Shortly after being admitted, I became unwell; displaying signs of infection- elevated heart rate, shivering, feeling very cold and having a temperature. The Midwife explained that she was not sure of the NUH policy and would enquire with someone else to assist. In the end, a Doctor reviewed me and I was commenced onto IV antibiotics. At this point, I was moved into a room and my husband could join me. I asked for some food and was offered roast beef. Given I wasn’t feel very well, I didn’t manage very much at all of the roast dinner. Within a few hours, I was vomiting, in pain, hooked up to IVs and was being told not to mobilise, but to rest on the bed. The idea I had of what labour would be like was gone. My midwife went on her break, and a senior midwife from the suite came in. She firmly instructed me to get out of bed, to take the TED stockings off, and to mobilise. This was in complete contradiction to what my midwife had been saying. I was encouraged to eat toast, even being given it to eat whilst on the toilet. I was encouraged to mobilise. On the return of my midwife from her break, the two Midwives shared some rather abrasive communication about my care. Frankly, I was left feeling caught in the middle and unsure what to do. As a first time mother, I was just doing what I was told. I explain this, not to get anyone in trouble, not to dig at either midwife; but to highlight the sheer relief my husband and I felt when Jenny came onto the nightshift. By the time Jenny arrived, I was on the induction IV drip. I was on IV fluids due to significant vomiting, and had had an epidural. Jenny instantly made my husband and I feel very comfortable and reassured. She explained everything that was happening. She quickly highlighted that I was significantly fluid overloaded, and stopped the IV fluids, explaining this might be contributing to me feeling unwell. Jenny ensured a Doctor reviewed us regularly due to the baby’s heart rate dipping and elevating quickly. Jenny was such a calming presence.

Nearly a year later, as I sit and write this, it makes me cry, at how grateful we were for her, how relieved we were for her confidence, expertise, and warmth. Fast forward a few hours, Jenny guided us through labour. It was an assisted delivery with forceps. With far too many professionals in the room for anyone to feel at ease. However, Jenny was right by me to the whole time, guiding my husband on where to stand, and how he could still be involved and support me. Following the birth of C, I needed surgery. Jenny advocated for me to have some skin to skin time, even if only 5 minutes, before being taken. This meant so much, as my ideal of ‘the golden hour’ to establish attachment and breastfeeding was again stripped away. Jenny took me to Theatres afterward and made sure I was okay. She then quickly went back to my husband, holding the second baby he’d ever held. She taught him how to give C my colostrum from a syringe, how to dress our baby, and how to put his nappy on. At this stage, Jenny was well overdue for her break. However, she recognised how scared my husband would’ve been to be left alone to do this, especially after such an overwhelming day, and with zero experience. Whilst I was in Theatres, it became apparent that C needed to go to the NICU. Jenny rushed to recovery to tell me, so that I didn’t arrive back to a room without my baby as a nasty surprise. She then finally, after seeing me safely back in my room, allowed herself a break, hours after she should have. Before her shift was over, and once C was back, she helped me with feeding, she made sure I was comfortable. She made sure to say goodbye before going home.

We ended up being admitted for 6 days. 6 long days, with my husband only being allowed to visit for 2 hours a day; tucked away in a side room, with very little interaction. Jenny, in her kindness, popped up one day to see how we were doing. She stayed for a chat and gave me advice. This whole process was a lot longer than I had expected it to be, but I cannot tell you the impact this lady had on what was one of the happiest, but hardest days of my life. My husband, to this day, still describes it as the worst day of his life. Seeing me unwell, in pain, with midwives disagreeing on care, uncertainty, and not being able to help. If Jenny were not on that nightshift, with as much warmth as she had, it would’ve looked even bleaker. She did not physically deliver our baby with her hands, multiple Doctors did, but she was the one who delivered him safely into this world and who kept me safe and well. We owe Jenny a lot. As a Healthcare Professional too, I recognise that many Midwives are probably just as lovely. However, Jenny, on this shift, knew exactly what we needed, she advocated for it, and she delivered it. I hope she sees this. Thank you Jenny.