"Exceptional care and emotional support from midwife Jane during a traumatic birth"

On the 14th or March at Campbeltown Hospital, I experienced a very traumatic birth where my baby suffered shoulder dystocia and became stuck for several minutes without oxygen. It was the most terrifying experience of my life, and throughout it all, my midwife Jane was an incredible source of strength, comfort, and reassurance.

When the emergency happened, the room suddenly filled with doctors and specialists who rushed in to help deliver my baby safely. Even in such a frightening and high pressure moment, Jane never stopped caring for me emotionally. Instead of stepping back once the medical team took over, she stayed right by my side and became my anchor while everything around me felt chaotic.

After my baby was finally born, he needed urgent medical attention and was immediately surrounded by a new and large team of doctors trying to find his heartbeat and get him to breathe. I only caught a glimpse of him when he first came out and was struck with fear at the sight of my grey, floppy and lifeless looking baby. I could not properly see him and I was absolutely hysterical with fear. Nobody really had time to explain what was happening, but Jane continuously moved between me and my baby, checking on him and then returning to comfort me with gentle updates like, “His heartbeat is stable,” and, “He’s starting to make little squeaks.” Those small reassurances meant absolutely everything to me in those moments especially because it was chaos and I was hysterical. 

What stood out most was how deeply compassionate and emotionally present she was. I could tell she was affected herself and understood how traumatic the situation was, yet she remained calm, caring, and completely focused on supporting me. She treated me with such kindness, empathy, and humanity during the worst moments of my life.

I could not move due to the epidural and needed stitching and aftercare, so I was separated from my baby after he was taken straight to Special Care. My husband went with him while Jane stayed by my side for hours, comforting and reassuring me despite how busy she must have been with all the paperwork required to be done, especially after such a birth like my sons.

When I was finally able to walk, I was shaken, emotional and overwhelmed at the thought of finding my room and then trying to find my baby. Jane stayed with me the entire time, walked me to my room, and then took me to see my baby. She did not have to do that but did. I felt so safe and supported with her.

No words could ever feel like a fair exchange for what Jane did for me that day. Because of her, I felt seen, supported, and cared for when I was at my most vulnerable. I will never forget the way she cared for me emotionally while everyone else needed to be focused on saving my baby. 

I truly believe midwives like Jane make an enormous difference to families during birth, especially during traumatic emergencies. I am endlessly grateful to her and I hope she knows the lasting impact she had on me and my family.