"Pregnancy and birth after stillbirth"

After the loss of our son last year, I became pregnant again and was very worried about how my pregnancy would be emotionally and physically.

I was given the best support from the Airdrie midwives especially from Fiona and Hannah, who both supported me physically and emotionally during a very challenging time. I was made to feel safe and given the time and space to speak freely about my previous experience and speak about my son who I lost. Nothing was too much trouble and at any point when I was worried or anxious I was seen promptly and had my mind put at ease.

I was given lots of information about my care and was given so much agency to make my own choices regarding my care. I was even asked about things that I wouldn’t have even thought about in regards to the lead up to my birth such as special signage on my room door so staff knew I was having my rainbow baby.

I also experienced excellent care from Dr Malcom after the death of my son and all through my pregnancy. Without him I would not have had questions answered as to what happened to my son and given the closure I needed to grieve. He also offered advice on trying for another baby which without I would not have been able to move on and have my daughter. He also understood my history with my son and was very compassionate throughout the full pregnancy and listened to my birthing preference especially when it came to my daughter’s due date and how important it was to me.

I would not be sitting here with my daughter if it wasn’t for him and both myself and my husband are forever grateful to him. Anyone that will be under his care in the future will have the best person looking after them.

All through my pregnancy I was given consistent care and made to feel like my opinions were heard and valued. At all times I felt like I was given a lot of information to make informed decisions around my pregnancy and make choices that were right for me and my partner after having such a sad experience.

I was seen at daybed in Wishaw twice weekly for reassurance scans and all the women there were very supportive and sensitive to my situation and made me feel supported and cared for. I did not feel as though I was bothering them or taking up their time. I was just made to feel relaxed and reassured. I had especially good care from Katy and Claire who I seen regularly.

My midwife Taylor who was with us during the birth of my son and the birth of our living daughter was also a massive support. She helped me through both c-sections that unfortunately had different outcomes. She was able to keep myself and my partner calm and did everything to advocate for me whilst I was having my C-section including seeing my wish of holding my baby as soon as delivered which was very important to me . I could not have made it through both births without her compassion and care.

I did however have a negative experience whilst calling triage with reduced movements. I called worried about my baby’s movements and on the phone I wasn’t even asked to give my name ( at which point the midwife would have seen my notes and seen I had red notes on my file to say to come to triage immediately with any reduced movements) I had to listen to all the precautions before I told the midwife I had a previous still birth and was then taken seriously. The midwife I seen that day at triage was also very dismissive and played down my concerns for reduced movements. Implying that it was down to anxiety and repeatedly told me to stay calm and go home to have a sweet snack to settle my nerves. This was not at all helpful as I was made to feel like my concerns were not taken seriously.

I really hope another woman does not have this experience with triage and is made to feel stupid for calling. I would hate to think that woman are made to feel so silly that it would stop them calling up with reduced movements and in turn losing their baby.

I do hope moving forward, phone calls to triage regarding reduced movements are taken seriously and not dismissed quickly . As someone who has lost a child at 41 weeks I know how important calling with reduced movements is and I hope no woman in the future is made to feel stupid when they have concerns which could put them off calling in the future.