"Compassionate sonographer"

Two weeks ago, my husband and I went to the Princess of Wales hospital in Bromsgrove for my 12 week scan, expecting to see our baby kicking and leaping about on the screen. We had been for a scan at the Alexandra hospital in Redditch three weeks earlier, after I was having some pains, and all was well at that stage.

As we went in to the scan room, Jeanette the sonographer immediately recognised me as she had been the person carrying out the scan at 9 weeks. She remembered that all had been well at that stage. She was very friendly and professional, and treated me as a real person, rather than just the next patient in a list.

Unfortunately, as Jeanette began the scan, it was immediately apparent to her that the baby had died. Obviously this was a huge blow to us, and we were devastated. But the way Jeanette delivered the bad news was so compassionate and full of empathy, and so gentle and loving. I can't imagine a better way to be told.

Somehow, she made it much less of a shock. I was really touched that even though this must be a regular part of her job, and not that unusual, she made me believe she knew how we were feeling and she really cared.What followed for me was a bit of a nightmare, with a failed D&C resulting in infection and a 5 day admittance to hospital, but during this I was fortunate to meet Jeanette again, at the Alexandra hospital in Redditch. Again, she recognised me and remembered the bad news she had had to deliver the previous week, and again she seemed genuinely concerned that I was still unwell.

It must be very easy for heathcare professionals to lose sight of the humanity of their patients, as they repeatedly see them presenting with the same conditions that need treating in a particular way, and I think sometimes maybe they become just another sick body.

I thought Jeanette deserved recognition for her empathetic attitude and I hope it reaches her this way.

Thank you.