I am struggling to find the words to describe how amazing Jen was during our recent postnatal experience. I think it's important to note that as a midwife myself for the trust I am all too familiar with the struggles that maternity units are facing at the moment and how amazing my colleagues are to all of the families that come to the Diamond Jubilee Maternity Unit. However, I stopped becoming a midwife and put all my trust and faith into Jen when she cared for us in March and I would like to submit this nomination as a patient.

Common sense and any knowledge I had in my midwifery role melted away and became the normal anxieties and concerns that a soon to be new mum has, heightened by my awareness of all the factors that come alongside labour and birth (sometimes having the inside knowledge of what you are about to face is a blessing and a curse!) My pregnancy wasn't an easy one, an IVF conception, diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 32 weeks among many other issues. I was induced at 38 weeks and began the next part of my journey. Jen was present for my son's birth and we were fortunate to have her care for us a lot over the next two weeks.

The day before my son was born I was diagnosed with having Covid 19, not something you want to have to battle alongside childbirth, but I did not fathom the effect it would have on us and the difficulties I would face. After spending two nights at home following his birth I was readmitted with sepsis, a bacterial infection in my blood that made me very poorly, worsened by my reduced immunity and also managing the effects of Covid. I will never forget the pain of coughing with a cesarean section wound. I was treated with a high dose of multiple intravenous antibiotics over the next 9 days and Jen spent many of her night shifts with me. Every 4-6 hours I would get a temperature, feel so unwell I could barely open my eyes, and was unable to care for my newborn as I should. Jen was right by my side on her shifts, holding my hand, making sure my medications were on time, and looking after my son when I couldn't and for that, I will always be eternally grateful. My partner was at home caring for our 4-year-old daughter, in the knowledge that I was safe.

Over my time In the hospital, I became very distressed at the repeated blood tests, multiple cannulations, scans, x-rays, through feeling unwell and all this was exacerbated by my hormones. There were times when I held Jen's hand so tight during yet another cannulation that I thought I might break it. I cried and cried at missing my daughter, not being able to care for my son and through fear of not getting better and each time she stayed with me, passed me the tissues, reassured me, and just let me sob and believe me there were gallons of tears. It is so scary not knowing when you will get better and be back with your family, especially when you should be enjoying time at home with your children. Jen was the constant for us all over that time period, she supported not only me but my partner too who relied on her to be with me when he couldn't.

Jen showed us the most amazing care, compassion, and outstanding kindness, she is an absolute credit to her profession and anyone is immensely lucky to have them be part of their journey. It would be an absolute honour if Jen could be acknowledged for just how special she is.