"I will never forget the kindness and love we were shown"

I had a tough pregnancy with a lot of challenges and I was looked after by so many so I am sorry if I miss anyone/any dept out!

Rachel & team in the MFAU kept me and my bump under close supervision, constantly giving me reassurance. Every appt (and there were a lot!) ran smoothly and never too long a wait. They were flat out but always took the time to really look after us which must be so hard to do with so many Mums to see. Rachel played a vital role in my pregnancy and was always there to answer the many questions and helped me focus on what was in my control which helped me not to panic. Her endless knowledge along with her smile & craic while treating me made my appts in MFAU a positive in my week, quite the feat considering why I had to go there at all.

The gestational diabetic team were brilliant- their knowledge and support kept me going! Thanks especially to Siobhan for keeping me sane and for always focusing on what was working.

The maternity ward dealt with her birth superbly, I felt supported and really well looked after. Once she was born she was monitored closely and transferred to NNU. The midwives were lovely and supported me in expressing breast milk which was tube fed to my baby in her incubator. This helped me just as much as her as it gave me a purpose and helped me feel directly involved in her care. The midwives helped organise donor milk for the early days until my milk came in. 

Our baby girl arrived early and needed support from birth so she was moved to the NNU in SWAH. She was given the best care by the kindest group of nurses and doctors. We were supported the whole way through, felt included and involved in her care and everything was explained in terms we understood which made everything less daunting. It is a unit that we never thought we would need and I will be forever grateful that it was there. Many babies are born in the maternity ward and their parents never hear the words NNU, never have to make the walk down the corridor to sit by an incubator, never have to watch others care for your baby because you aren't able to. But for those who need it, it is a place of vital care, of hope, determination and top medical intervention and support. I will never forget the vital life supporting care she was given and I will never forget the kindness and love we were shown during our stay.

Without the NNU in SWAH- well it just isn't worth thinking about. Thank you to each and every person involved in running the unit. From the doctors and nurses to the porters who are the friendliest people you'll meet, to the cleaning team who keep the unit pristine, every single person we met treated us with such kindness while keeping the unit running.

Thank you for everything - we will remember you all every time we cuddle our baby girl, who is now safely home thanks to you.

Thanks to all the doctors esp Dr Machen (i hope that is right!) who chatted to me every morning on the ward round. Your involvement of me in what was going on meant a lot so thank you.