"My midwife, our friend and rock"

Our midwife from Bellshill Medical Centre was amazing, we loved her, to say we will miss her is and was an understatement. She was friendly, open, honest and everything and more to us. 

I had two previous miscarriages, one was a missed miscarriage and required that i have surgery so I was very anxious and nervious with my current pregnancy. Our orginal midwife was leaving Bellshill medical center and she was replaced I had a couple of temporary midwifes at the first few visits (who were all great also) but then we got assigned to Alana. 

From the first appointment we knew she was going to be great. She chatted away to us, she was just so warm and welcoming. No question was stupid and she explained everything thoughtfully and thoroughly that we always walked away feeling safe. 

During my pregnancy my late gran had taken ill, the night before an appointment I was told she might not make it. I attended my appointment the next day and broke down when asked how I was. Alana was just so lovely and caring that it helped me more than she knows. That was the first day we heard our little ones heart beat for the first time. 

On every visit we learned something new, Alana allowed my partner to feel the babys head and showed him where baby was sitting. This involvement was precious to him, he treasured it and was excited for more appointments. All my questions and worries were met with a smile. 

On my last couple of visits at the start of lockdown, Alana was absent, I was told she was ill. We later found out she had covid19, she told us her story, she battled it exactly by the book. It showed how at risk our NHS staff really are sadly. She fell ill and self isolated in her home, one room and ensuite for two weeks. No contact with her family or outside world, all the while feeling terrible and getting food delivered to the door. It just hammered home what was going on and how close it was and is to us. Her story is why its important to follow guidelines she shouldnt have been at risk but was sadly. 

In the meantime our temporary midwives looked after us. They were great but not Alana, however, we had our beautiful daughter and Alana was back on visits we were chuffed. 

On our first day/night home we had a hard time with getting our girl to feed. She had a very fast delivery and was very mucousy. This resulted in her being sick and bringing it up constantly. She was born in the morning, fed once at hospital but nothing since so we phoned the hospital in worry that she wasnt feeding. We were hit with a bit of negativity which shocked us due to the exceptional treatment I had had previously. We felt we had let down our daughter, guilty, that we were failures. We told Alana the next day, she instantly put us at ease. She explained that she was fine, we did nothing wrong, as baby was full of mucus she wouldnt be hungry untill it cleared. She was perfectly fine, just give her time and she will be the milk monster that she is. 

We looked forward to our visits with Alana she answered all our questions again putting our first time anxiety on the back burner and lifted us up with a new found confidence. With everyl ittle worry she was able to explain what was causing the worry, what was happening and that everything was normal. 

I remember from previous visits to her before baby I was due injections to prevent clots that I was to self administer, however, I didnt get any. I said this to her and she confirmed guidelines had changed and that might be why I didnt get them. She however didnt just leave it there she followed it up and found that there was an unfortunate error. She then the next day brought everything to me and showed me what to do. She was so thorough, always caring and nothing was overlooked. 

She always told us to contact her over anything, one night I was so worried, I had passed a large clot. I messaged her, not expecting a reply till the next day, however, I got contacted back right away and my mind was put at ease once again. That was above and beyond. 

The sad day came our last visit from Alana and we were so sad to see her go, she really was our rock. She had helped us with silly things like how to bath baby, up to what to do if there is a major issue. She took two first time parents filled with nervousness and anxiety and left us with pride and confidence. She built us up and for this no words can properly describe just how thankful we really are. The care we received was exceptional and shes another hero and major asset of the NHS. Thank you Alana, you will be seriously missed and I hope your other patients treasure you as we have.