SOUTH WALES MIDWIFE IS BEST IN UK
A MIDWIFE who was instrumental in supporting a couple and their surrogate in bringing healthy twins into the world has been named the best in the UK.
Sarah Spencer, a midwife from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, has been awarded the Emma’s Diary Mums’ Midwife of the Year 2018.
She was nominated by mum Elouise King and husband Paul for the amazing support she provided the couple during their surrogacy journey.
In 2013 Elouise fell pregnant naturally, but following an early miscarriage she needed the foetus removed surgically which resulted in her suffering Asherman syndrome, a scarring of the cervix and uterus.
After years of heartache, including seven failed attempts at IVF, the pair found a suitable surrogate by the name of Jen Taylor, from Barry, who has become a lifelong friend.
Jen fell pregnant and went on to deliver beautiful twin boys, Jude and Joshua, in June 2017.
With Elouise and Paul living in Birmingham, it meant every scan, midwife appointment and visit to fetal medicine was miles away, reinforcing the physical separation and administrative hurdles to overcome.
Elouise said she was also anxious about how surrogacy would impact their treatment and the care afforded to their surrogate.
Whether they would feel and be treated like “parents” and how the hospital would accommodate their family also entered her mind.
But Elouise said midwife Sarah put their minds at ease instantly, spending time with them to understand their relationship, their needs, their fears and their expectations.
She kept in touch for months via email and met them twice prior to delivery – even giving them a tour of the hospital.
Elouise, who nominated Sarah for the award, said: “Sarah worked tirelessly to make sure everyone knew who we were, making treatment and transition between wards seamless.
“When one of our boys was taken to neonatal, she made sure we saw him without delay. Sarah arranged for us to have a separate room so that we could spend valuable time alone as a new family.
“She made sure our surrogate was able to recuperate in a different room in the emotional hours after labour, being sensitive to ensure she wasn’t housed on an open maternity ward next to new mums.
“She also ensured family members did not miss out in visiting us during this special time. Sarah truly is our fairy godmother, ensuring our surrogacy experience was a wonderful one.”
Sarah, who is a senior midwifery manager and works for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said: “On hearing I had won this award I was completely overwhelmed. I will always remember the birth of Jude and Joshua and the journey Elouise and Paul had gone through to become parents.
“I worked closely with both and their surrogate Jen to ensure that they all had a positive birth experience and the needs of two families were considered.
“I am sure that when Elouise dreamt of becoming a mum she never envisaged it this way, so that was why it was so important to me that no matter how she became a parent the experience she had would be positive. By receiving this award that she nominated me for, I think that dream was achieved.”
Emma’s Diary, the UK’s essential support resource for mums to be and new parents, received a record 751 nominations from mums across the UK.
All entries were put through a meticulous judging process by a panel of representatives from both Emma’s Diary and the RCM, culminating in seven regional winners.
Mandy Forrester, head of quality and standards at the Royal College of Midwives said: “This is a really special award to have won. Mums’ Midwife of the Year Award recognises the amazing support that midwives give to women throughout pregnancy, birth and early motherhood.
“Sarah has delivered exceptional care and support to the mother that nominated her for this award and she should be very proud of this achievement.”
Sunil Singh, Emma’s Diary’s healthcare director, said: “This will be our third year sponsoring the award and each year we get blown away by stories of exceptional compassion and dedication shown by hundreds of wonderful midwives across the UK.
“Each nomination conveys a level of care and support that makes such a huge difference to a mum and their family’s life.
“It is a truly humbling experience and we are delighted for Sarah, who is so deserving of this extra recognition.”