My story dates back to July 2022. I was pregnant and I had come in for a routine 20 week scan.

I was met with some news by the sonographer that we needed to do further scans on my baby as they could not get the measurements they were happy with, and someone would be in touch later that evening.

After I’d left the hospital, Ali phoned me to let me know that upon looking at further images of my baby's heart, I needed to be sent to UCLH for further cardiac imagery. 

My heart shattered into a million pieces as I knew the news was not going to be good.  Ali explained on the phone that UCLH will contact me the next day to arrange a time for me to come in. This happened and fast forward I had received the news that my baby had 3 major heart defects and needed open heart surgery at GOSH in London upon delivery.

Ali reached out to me about my appointment, and I told her exactly what I had been told. She listened, and she was really compassionate and caring!

I refused an amniocentesis test at UCLH while I was there as everything was too much after the news I had received, but upon reflection, when I got home, I felt I wanted to have the test, so I called Ali the next day, and she arranged this for me for 2 days after in Lister hospital. Upon arrival, she greeted me and took me into a room, had a conversation with me and my partner, and explained everything in detail. Again, really compassionate and caring!  Ali was there throughout my test on one side of me, reassuring me, and the other side of me was my partner. The whole way through!

After my test, I went home, and later that evening, Ali texted me to ask how I was. Again, I felt this was so lovely to check in on me, considering I came home not that long ago.  Throughout my whole journey and pregnancy after I had received my baby’s CHD news, Ali had checked in on me consistently, informing me of helpful links and webpages, as well as follow up emails etc.

I cannot explain the feeling of going through this during pregnancy, but all I know is that having Ali there to support, guide, and check in on me changed everything for me. I don’t know what I would have done/how I would have coped had I not had her support throughout.

I even received a text after I gave birth to my daughter to check on everything! I was honestly shocked as all my care was now in the hands of UCLH, and the fact that Ali still took her time out to check in on me and my daughter was charitable!  My experience with Ali still stays with me 2 years later, hence my nomination for her now!

I would have done it sooner, but with everything with my daughter, I just never found the time.  I don’t know if I ever did thank Ali properly, so hopefully, this can be my way of doing so! Thank you, Ali. You are an exemplary midwife and professional, and Lister is very lucky to have you.