Island maternity team scoop prestigious National award

This in from the NHS, in their own words, Ed

12 Month old Elsie Rose Clark owes her life to miracle workers at St Mary’s Hospital Maternity Unit for the care they gave to her and to her Mum after a fraught pregnancy and a previous tragedy.

That’s why Mum Jane is so thrilled that the maternity team have now scooped the MUM (Maternity Unit Miracles) award for the South region.

Midwives provided amazing support
After four years of trying to conceive and a miscarriage, Jane and Steve Clark were overjoyed to be expecting in 2010, however at 18 weeks pregnant, January 2011, Jane gave birth to Rosie. She was unfortunately, too premature to survive and died sleeping. The following March, Jane and Steve discovered they were expecting again.

The pregnancy was a horrendous worry and they received a huge scare at 21 weeks when Jane had to undergo an emergency cervical stitch operation, which thankfully was a success. The stitch held and was removed at 36 weeks. Baby Elsie Rose Clark was born at 1.46am on 24th November 201 weighing 5lb 5oz.

She was cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for three days and for a further two days on the Maternity ward until the proud parents were allowed to take her home.

Mother, Jane Clark said, “The midwives were so helpful, patient, kind, understanding and were generally amazing and supportive. We could not have asked to be looked after better, we were treated like friends and we felt in very safe hands. We don’t think the doctors and midwives realise how much of what they do affects people’s lives for the better. After such a tragic experience they made our dream real and we will be eternally grateful, they were all amazing.”

The Clarks nominated the team for award
As a result of this experience on behalf of herself and Elsie, Mum, Jane Clark, nominated the deserving team of Obstetricians and Midwives at St Mary’s Hospital for a MUM award to recognise the outstanding work of the team there.

Annie Hunter, Head of Midwifery, said, “We are all very delighted to have won the MUM award for the South Region and we would like to thank Jane, in particular, for placing the nomination. We deliver and care for many sick babies and their mothers within our Maternity and Intensive Care Baby Unit and it is very rewarding to be recognised. But most importantly to know that Jane felt she was supported and cared for throughout her experience and now has a wonderful healthy daughter.”

Elsie and her parents, Jane and Steve, joined the award winning maternity team for a fun packed lunch together with Cha Cha the resident frog at London’s Rainforest Café on 6th November.