“My named midwife was on annual leave so when I went into the unit to give birth it was a team I didn’t know, including a friendly student midwife, who were all lovely and immediately put me at ease. Later in the day I was handed over to Maddie who was just wonderful.

Thankfully Struan was delivered safely, and everything was well with him. Unfortunately, I had a retained placenta and had lost a lot of blood, so the decision was made that I needed to be transferred. He was born just after shift change, so the next rota of staff came along to the birthing room and started to help organise everything – at one point there were five midwives (some of whom had technically finished their shift!) helping Struan and I prepare to go in the ambulance. The student had stayed on too as it was the first birth she had witnessed and wanted to see it through.

I was pretty scared and emotional, but I felt so safe and cared for. One of the midwives (Michelle) came in the ambulance with us and ensured I was looked after there too.

I really can’t thank the Angus Birthing Team enough – especially those who were working that day. It might have been an everyday thing for them but for me, my husband and my baby it was totally alien and they made sure we were informed and cared for throughout.”