Midwife is crowned UK’s best

A WOMAN from Cardiff has been named the UK’s best midwife for her “professional, calm and caring” manner.

Laura Wyatt, a bereavement midwife from University Hospital of Wales, was given the honour for going “above and beyond” to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.

She was nominated by mum Jody Vaughan, also from Cardiff, who lost her son Archie during labour in June 2015. Despite the devastating news, Jody said Laura, who was not a specialist in bereavement at the time, was on hand to support the family through their personal grief in a “personal and professional manner”.

“Laura did not minimise our feelings but helped us work through them,” said Jody. “She always worked at our speed, she laughed with us and supported us when we needed to cry.”

Pontprennau resident Laura, who went on to provide antenatal care, was also involved in Jody’s second, more nerve-wracking pregnancy.

“During our second pregnancy, her support was invaluable, helping us through our anxiety,” Jody added.

“Laura talked with enthusiasm about developing her role, increasing resources and furthering research.

“It was clear Laura wanted to learn from events to ensure individual experiences were as positive as possible in the future.”

Jody gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Henry, and Laura, keen to develop her role, has since been appointed a bereavement midwife.

“We wanted to nominate Laura so she knew how much we appreciated her hard work and let her know just how lovely she is,” said Jody.

On winning the Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2017, Laura, who works for the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “‘I was delighted and humbled to have received the heart-warming nomination from Jody.

“It was a complete shock to have gotten the phone call to say I won the award for Wales but to also be presented with the national title is truly overwhelming.

“Supporting a bereaved family is about listening and responding to their needs and allowing parents time to consider their options in an empathic and caring manner.

“It is also about supporting them in creating valuable memories of their time with their baby.”

Both Laura and Jody, along with Jody’s partner Karl and baby Henry, attended the Royal College of Midwives’ (RCM) Annual Awards, now in its 15th year, which was hosted by newsreader and TV presenter Natasha Kaplinsky.