In August 2024, I was admitted to the Lister for an induction to deliver my third baby. After a tricky 24 hours, where my anxiety spiked, I was told I was 4cm dilated and was transferred to the MLU ready to go and deliver my baby.

There, I met Imogen. She immediately put me at ease and treated me with a gentle kindness and respect. She asked me for my birth preferences - I said I hadn’t written a birth plan because I was being induced for a third time and things were out of my control. She explained it was never too late, and we talked through my preferences – my desire to have immediate skin to skin and my fears about not feeling safe and that I needed to be reminded I was safe to keep anxiety at bay.

A few hours later, it was a shift change and time to say goodbye to Imogen (I was gutted!). Unfortunately, the induction did not progress well, and I had to go back to Dacre Ward to continue my induction. I struggled to gain composure and was pretty upset about it.

The next morning, I went for a walk and bumped into Imogen and another nurse (who was also incredible). I wasn’t under Imogen’s care at that point but she still took the time to talk to me about how I felt going back to Dacre - she listened, she cared. This wasn’t part of her shift or work but she went above and beyond to check I was ok.

Fast forward a few hours, and I was on the CLU getting my waters broken, and the midwife looking after me was called in for an emergency section. I had to transfer to a new midwife. And who popped her head round the corner with a huge smile - Imogen! It was so reassuring, and it meant I continued to feel relaxed.

Imogen was amazing - encouraging but respectful of the space my husband and I wanted to create. She created a safe space and protected the room. She advocated for me, asking people to leave the room when she could tell it was impacting me. It was like she was one step ahead of what I was thinking.

My labour ramped up quickly, and I felt I was losing control. It was a sign of the trust I had built that I grabbed Imogen’s hand and asked her how to get control back. She looked me in the eye and told me I was, that I was doing it. Things escalated quickly, and I remember suddenly feeling scared. Until I heard Imogen’s voice saying “you’re safe and baby is safe”. It meant SO much that even though she must have met lots of women between when I first met her and when she came back to help with the delivery, she remembered exactly what I needed, and in an instant, she stopped my fear. I remember thinking, “You’re safe, time to enjoy this experience now”. And I did! It grounded me and through that simple reminder she bought me back to the birth so that I could really experience and connect, knowing I was safe.

She also remembered my desire to have skin to skin and made this happen instantly (and respectfully) - I didn’t have to remind, it just seamlessly happened. Through her very personalised care that really centred around what I needed and wanted, she turned a very stressful induction into a birth that was empowering and so special. I loved my birth, and I have amazing memories of it because of Imogen. She completely turned around my whole experience because of her compassion and the way she knew exactly what would help me. Imogen is a complete credit to the profession and to the Lister.

I have been lucky enough to give birth to three babies, and the care I received from Imogen completely stands out - she empowers women beautifully by knowing what will make a difference to them. Thank you, Imogen!