A couple of from Beverley have offered their “eternal thanks” to the hospital team who safely delivered their baby boy.
Laura Malton and her partner, Matthew Levitt, said despite Covid-19 restrictions, the team at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital gave them an “incredible experience” when baby Ollie arrived just before Christmas.
Laura says:
“We sadly lost our first baby, Ralphie, when he was born prematurely in 2017 so I was really anxious throughout this pregnancy but the wonderful team of staff looked after us so well.
“I was under the care of the Ivy Team and our midwife Hazel gave incredible care and support. She is an absolute credit to midwifery and I couldn’t have hoped for better antenatal care throughout my pregnancy.
“Then when the time came, Ollie’s birth was everything we could have wished for, because the team made us feel relaxed, reassured and informed throughout.
“Every single member of staff that I met was kind, friendly and helpful; I’d struggle to find anything negative to say about the care I received.”
And while many couples choose baby names from within the family, Laura and Matthew instead gave baby Ollie the middle name ‘Frank’, as a gesture of gratitude to consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, Mr Frank Biervleit.
“Mr Biervliet has given us exceptional care over the last few years following the loss of our little boy,” Laura says.
“He made us feel like he personally cared about helping us achieve our dream of bringing home a baby. For him to finally deliver our son into the world was so special for us, so we felt it was the right thing to do to give Ollie the middle name Frank!”
Laura and Matthew with baby Ollie
Baby Ollie was delivered in theatre by C-section, weighing 6lb 7.5oz, and Laura says the surgical team was great too.
“It was obvious that Natasha, who worked alongside Mr Biervliet, had made herself aware of our situation prior to meeting us, and that meant a lot to us.
“Kimberley from anaesthetics did a brilliant job of caring for me throughout the procedure too. I’d had a previous bad experience so I was nervous about the procedure, but it went perfectly thanks to her, while Mark the ODP* helped to ease our nerves by creating a jolly, light-hearted atmosphere that we were both really thankful for.”
Laura adds:
“Having been under my midwife Hazel’s antenatal care all this time, it was fitting that she should be the one to finally place our baby in our arms, but we really can’t praise or thank the whole team enough for our incredible experience.
“What may have been just another day at work for them was the most significant day of our lives, and their contribution will be unforgettable to us.
“Despite the Covid restrictions in place, we felt the overall experience of Ollie’s birth was perfect.”
Julia Harrison-Mizon, Director of Operations for the Family& Women’s Health Group at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“It’s really fantastic to hear from people like Laura and Matthew; not only does it help to lift the spirits and re-energise staff at this difficult time, but it also serves to remind us that the contribution we make to other people’s lives – every single interaction – is so incredibly important.
“I’m so pleased to hear that the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been able to spoil such a special time in their lives, and on behalf of the whole team, I’d like to wish Laura, Matthew and Ollie all the very best for the future.”