Sunderland families pay tribute to health heroes who delivered their babies on International Midwives' Day

Families across Sunderland have been paying tribute to the outstanding care of the health heroes who helped bring their little bundles of joy into the world on International Midwives’ Day.
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Tuesday, May 5 marks International Midwives’ Day – and Echo readers have been taking a moment to remember the care they received when their babies were born – whether in previous years or just weeks ago during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a series of touching messages on the Sunderland Echo Facebook page, many mums recalled the support they were given during one of life’s most precious and worrying times and shared favourite photographs of their children.

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Caring neighbour comes to the rescue and delivers couple's baby girl at home dur...
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Melanie Johnson, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust’s Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, also paid tribute to the work of her team in continuing to provide “outstanding” care in challenging circumstances.

She said: “International Day of the Midwife is an opportunity to celebrate our maternity staff in both South Tyneside and Sunderland who do such a fantastic job providing women and their families with outstanding care.

“Never has their dedication and commitment been more evident than during the current pandemic. Their resilience and determination in the face of the extraordinary challenges this poses has been awe-inspiring.

“I am so proud of each and every one of them and I want to say a huge thank you for their work in supporting and protecting local women and their babies through their continuing excellent care.”

Thank you to Alex Harker, Bethany Marie Steel, Gem Martin, Nicola Leonard, Kathryn Ferguson, Jade Oxlade, Katie Scott and Jordyn Leigh Ridley for sharing their pictures.Thank you to Alex Harker, Bethany Marie Steel, Gem Martin, Nicola Leonard, Kathryn Ferguson, Jade Oxlade, Katie Scott and Jordyn Leigh Ridley for sharing their pictures.
Thank you to Alex Harker, Bethany Marie Steel, Gem Martin, Nicola Leonard, Kathryn Ferguson, Jade Oxlade, Katie Scott and Jordyn Leigh Ridley for sharing their pictures.
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Here are some of your messages from the Sunderland Echo Facebook page:

Christine Hedley: “Without the Sunderland midwifery team both of my children wouldn't be with us today. Walking angels.”

Denise Shields: “My eldest son is coming up 37 and I can still remember my midwife Sister Bell, she was lovely.”

Katie Baker: “I had my son on the April 3, 2020. Very nervous about being at the hospital due to the pandemic but from arriving to leaving those midwives at Sunderland Hospital were incredible and extremely supportive!”

Some of the maternity team at Sunderland Royal Hospital.Some of the maternity team at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Some of the maternity team at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
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Sarah Louise Fairclough: “Mine has to be Donna Acton, she saved my life after I haemorrhaged when I had my son Brian in September 2012, I will forever be thankful for her.”

Kathryn Ferguson: “Thank you Janice at Sunderland hospital who delivered my little girl, Evie during the Covid-19 pandemic on April 16. During such a worrying time she was so helpful and focused throughout the entire labour.”

Lauren Clarke: “I had two deliveries at Sunderland Royal both complicated for different reasons but the midwives I had with me were amazing.”

Lauren Rathbone: “Had my little boy at Sunderland Royal in 2018 and had the best labour with amazing help from my midwife called Steph. She was amazing and went above and beyond to help me.”

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Tasha Mullen: “Happy Midwives’ Day. And thank you for helping me bring my three beautiful babies in to the world and especially Lynn Metcalfe, she was fabulous.”

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