Families return to celebrate fourth anniversary of life-saving clinic

‘Thank you for giving us our babies!’

That was the message from families who were able to celebrate the safe arrival of their children thanks to intervention from a specialist hospital team.

The pre-term birth clinic at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate and William Harvey Hospital in Ashford has helped more than a thousand families welcome healthy babies who were at risk of being born early.

Some of them were invited back to help celebrate the clinic’s fourth anniversary, and say a personal thank you to lead consultant Dr Aylur Rajasri, pre-term lead midwife Jess Toohey, and fetal wellbeing midwife Poppy Corrall.

Mum Gemma Bolt was there with baby Amariah, whose name means promised.

She said: “I had nothing but excellent care from everyone. They were so attentive and nothing was too much trouble.

“I had a history of recurrent miscarriages, and surgery to remove pre-cancerous cells, so it was quite an anxious time but together we got through it and Amariah was born at 39 weeks.

“She is very precious and I don’t think we would have her without the clinic.”

Jade Brown lost her son Lucas four months into pregnancy, and found out she was pregnant with baby Aleaya the same week as her initial appointment to discuss what had happened with Lucas.

She said: “I was terrified. There were a lot of complications with this pregnancy and I had to spend a lot of time in hospital, but the care from Dr Raji and the team was amazing.

“When she was born we just broke down and cried. I couldn’t believe I actually had her in my arms.

“We feel so blessed, and I wouldn’t have got through this pregnancy without the clinic.”

People who have had previous premature births, or who have other risk factors including surgery to their cervix, or previous miscarriages, can be referred to the clinic by their midwife and will be seen until they reach their third trimester. Complex cases are discussed with colleagues in London for their advice and input.

Babies born before 28 weeks of pregnancy have a much higher risk of ongoing health issues, and the chances of survival increase the later a baby is delivered.

Melissa Emptage has welcomed two children thanks to the clinic, with baby Theo born six weeks early.

She said: “I was in and out of hospital from 30 weeks but the team were fantastic, and so supportive.

“Because of what happened with my first child I was referred to them straight away and it was very reassuring to know they were here to help with any issues.

“The hospital was like my second home, and I can’t fault the care I received.”

Caroline Phipp’s daughter Isla was born in January, after her waters broke at 19 weeks.

She said: “The staff were all fantastic. My midwife Gladys, anaesthetist Francis, Claire who did my ultrasounds – everyone was amazing. Sometimes I was seen three or four times a week.

“I made it to 38 weeks with their help, support and advice.

“Everything they told me to do, I did it. I really wanted her here safely and was determined to do everything I could.

“I’m so grateful for the support. We got on really well too, so I’m here today to say thank you.”

Caroline also said a special thank you to midwife Sally Smith, who delivered some of her care.

Sally, who died earlier this year, played a vital role in the clinic.

Head of midwifery Hannah Horne paid tribute to Sally, saying: “For a lot of families, the memory they have of support from the clinic is of Sally. She was that central.

“She belonged here. She really felt she had found a home at QEQM.

‘She was a tall lady with a big personality to go with it, and her loss has been felt by us all.’

Fetal wellbeing midwife Poppy, who was herself supported by the clinic before delivering her son, said: “Sally was a huge part of the preterm clinic from a year in. She even designed the clinic’s logo.

“She was always there and so supportive. We miss her.”

Dr Rajasri added: “We were not sure whether to have our celebration this year after we lost Sally, but it is these babies that give us the strength to carry on.

“It is so wonderful to be able to see them happy and healthy, and to hear how well they are all doing.

“We get to know the parents so well during their pregnancies so it feels like these babies are part of our family – and it grows every year, which is so lovely to see.”

The team have also analysed the outcomes of their patients and published research around developments to reduce the risk of pre-term birth. They hope to secure funding for more of this work.