"When we were at our most vulnerable, you held us up"

It’s taken me six months to write this, and I think that’s because it’s taken six months to begin to come to terms with everything that happened — the trauma, the worry, the uncertainty — and also, the immense gratitude.

I spent a lot of time in Ward 9A throughout my pregnancy, as I had pre-eclampsia. From 24 weeks onwards, I had various overnight stays, and each time I was met with kindness, expertise, and a sense of genuine care. The staff on 9A quickly became more than just healthcare providers — they became a support network.

On the day our son was born, everything happened so fast. 

The pre-eclampsia was moving toward the eclampsia and I knew delivery would be soon, but I didn’t expect it to be at 29 weeks. I had just come in for a blood pressure profile and a heart trace on baby. I was literally in the right place at the right time.

It was Klaudia, my midwife, whose swift, meticulous actions set everything in motion. She paged for assistance, and within 30 seconds a full team had assembled. Her calm and professional approach will stay with me forever. She quite simply saved both our lives. I remember her calmly telling me that there was gonna be a lot of people around the bed quickly but to remember that they were there for me and baby.

There was no time for written consent, no time for a full explanation of what was happening — only urgency.

I was put under general anaesthetic, and my baby was born just 17 minutes after the initial page was made.

Our beautiful baby boy, born at just 29 weeks, was taken straight to the Neonatal Special Care Baby Unit at Raigmore Hospital. I didn’t get to see him for some time after he was born, and in those early hours, I was overwhelmed — physically, emotionally, and mentally.

After delivery, I spent another four weeks in hospital. My baby boy spent six weeks in the neonatal unit. Those weeks were long, emotional, and difficult — especially being a mum on a maternity ward without my baby beside me. But the staff understood, even when it wasn’t spoken about. They went out of their way to check in on me, make me feel seen, and give me space when I needed it. They understood in ways words couldn’t explain.

I cannot fault any of the care either my baby or I received. From the consultant Kapnie, who carried out my surgery, to the amazing domestic staff who kept me fed and watered, every single person showed genuine interest in how I was — and how my baby was doing. Whether it was clinical care or a quiet cup of tea, there was always humanity behind the service.

But from the very beginning, it was the neonatal team that became our anchor. During that time, we got to know the staff so well that they became like a second family to us. We were spending more time with them than we were with our own loved ones — but it never felt strange. It felt like being surrounded by people who truly cared, and who showed that care every single day.

The nurses and midwives who looked after our son were extraordinary. Their attention to detail, the way they treated him with such gentleness and respect, and the way they involved us in every step of his care — it meant everything. He wasn’t just another premature baby in an incubator — he was our baby, and they made sure we felt that.

Dr. Peter, our neonatologist, was incredibly professional throughout. His clear communication, calm approach, and careful decision-making gave us huge confidence during an incredibly uncertain time. We knew our  baby was in expert hands.

I also want to mention Sheila, the midwife who came to see me the day after our son was born, while I was still in the high dependency unit on Maternity Ward 10. I hadn’t yet been well enough to go through to see my baby, and she took the time to explain what having a baby in neonatal would look like going forward. She reassured me that he was in safe hands, and helped make the unknown feel a little more manageable.

Throughout our time in NICU, the staff didn’t just look after our son — they looked after us. Me and my partner were treated with kindness and respect every step of the way. The team made us feel welcome, made sure we felt heard, and included us in every part of our son's journey. We never felt like visitors. We felt like parents — because they empowered us to be, even when we felt lost.

No question was ever too small, no emotion too much. They celebrated the little wins with us, held space for our tears, and encouraged us constantly. Their compassion was unwavering.

Now, six months on, or son is thriving. He’s over 12lbs now — more than 10lbs heavier than when he was born — and is growing stronger every day. Watching him now, you’d never guess how early and fragile his start was. And that’s thanks to the care he received at Raigmore’s NICU.

There really are no words to properly thank the entire team — the doctors, nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants, and every person who crossed our path. You made the hardest weeks of our lives that bit easier, with your professionalism, your warmth, and your genuine humanity.

You gave our son the best start, and you gave us the strength and support to walk through it beside him. You were there at a time when we were at our most vulnerable, and you held us up. We will never, ever forget that.