"The birth of our Daughter"

Our daughter was born in the early hours of Sunday, 7 June 2026, after a long and unexpected birth journey.

We were first admitted on Thursday for a planned induction, but due to the maternity ward being exceptionally busy, our induction was delayed and we were sent home before returning on Saturday morning. Despite how stretched the ward was, every member of the team remained calm, compassionate and professional, and we always felt informed and cared for.

From the moment labour began, the midwives who cared for us were simply incredible. They were a constant presence throughout the day and into the night, never leaving us alone. If one needed to step away, another seamlessly took over, so we always felt supported. They explained every stage of labour clearly, answered every question with patience, and helped ease our worries with kindness and reassurance.

As labour progressed, they continually suggested different positions, techniques and pain relief options when things weren’t working, always encouraging us without ever being pushy or making us feel pressured. They shared their knowledge and experience in a way that empowered us to make informed decisions, and we never once felt judged for asking questions or changing our minds.

After many hours of labour, little progress and almost two hours of pushing, it became clear that our baby's posterior position meant she wasn’t able to descend. Dr Andrea explained our options clearly and compassionately, and we proceeded to theatre for a trial of forceps before ultimately delivering our baby safely by Caesarean section. She certainly lived up to everyone’s expectations, weighing an incredible 5.59 kg at birth!

Although our baby's arrival didn’t go as we had imagined, we couldn’t have asked for better care. The midwives, Dr Andrea , the anaesthetic team and every member of the operating theatre staff worked together with such professionalism, compassion and kindness that we felt completely safe throughout the entire experience. Even in theatre, everyone took the time to reassure us, explain what was happening and make what could have been a frightening experience feel calm and supported.

To every person who played a part in bringing our beautiful daughter safely into the world, thank you. The care we received was truly exceptional. Your compassion, expertise and dedication turned what could have been an overwhelming experience into one filled with confidence, reassurance and gratitude. We will never forget the role you played in welcoming our daughter into the world, and our family will always be thankful for everything you did for us.