"The ensemble of excellent midwives"

My wife and I were completely blown away by the standard of care we received throughout our pregnancy, labour, and postnatal experience. Every single midwife we encountered was not only kind, clever, and empathetic, but also incredibly professional and supportive. From our community care in Radford to the labour and recovery wards at Nottingham QMC, we felt consistently safe, informed, and uplifted — even during moments that could easily have felt overwhelming.

Throughout the pregnancy, we always turned up with a long list of questions — everything that had come up since the last visit — and Cliodhna, our brilliant community midwife, was never once stumped. Her calm expertise and warm presence made each appointment feel grounded and reassuring. We always walked away feeling looked after, more confident, and more prepared.

Cliodhna’s care had such a profound impact on us that we named our daughter in her honour. That’s how deeply we were touched by her support, and how grateful we are to her and all the midwives who cared for us.

As for our labour story — it didn’t unfold how we’d planned (from hypnobirthing and pool birth to epidural, theatre, and forceps delivery), but we never once felt adrift. It was the combination of warm support, clear communication, and a genuinely positive environment that made the transition feel smooth and empowering. 

We are especially thankful to Taylor at QMC, who was by our side throughout most established labour and delivery — her steady presence and emotional support made all the difference, especially during the most challenging moments. This was obvious in the way my wife beamed everytime Taylor told her she was doing great. 

Lily also deserves a shoutout-- she welcomed and supported us in the most difficult hours, when we first arrived, before we decided to proceed with an epidural. 

We also want to acknowledge the excellent doctor (whose name, regrettably, we forgot) who clearly explained why a move to theatre for a forceps delivery would be the safest option for both mother and baby — due to the baby’s slightly angled position. Her calm, compassionate delivery of that information made it easy to trust the plan. And to the anaesthetist, who confidently and effectively took charge of the room, ensuring that everyone felt informed and safe — thank you.

One thing we particularly appreciated was that every member of the team had clearly read our birth plan. Even when circumstances required a change in direction, we were always met with them saying they knew our preference was this… but here’s the situation, and here’s what we advise. That level of respect and continuity meant the world to us.

We are immensely grateful to the full QMC team, including:

Labour ward:

Taylor 

Lily

Chloe

Liam (administered the epidural)

Claudia

Evie

Danielle

Betty

(Apologies again for not remembering the names of the wonderful doctor and anaesthetist mentioned above — you were outstanding.)

Postnatal/recovery ward:

Jordan

Community care:

Jo (or Joy?) — another lovely and attentive member of the community team

We can’t thank the Nottingham midwifery team enough. You turned what could have been a nerve-wracking journey into one that felt empowering and even joyful. We’ll always remember the care you gave us — and our daughter’s name will forever carry a piece of that gratitude forward.

We’re aware of the difficult headlines Nottingham maternity services have faced in recent years, but our experience couldn’t have felt further from that narrative. We hope this message reaches those involved, so they know that their compassion, skill, and care are seen — and deeply appreciated.