NHS at 75 "how they saved mine and my son's life"
Our news reader Becky Lomas shares the story of how the NHS saved her and her son's life
Last updated 5th Jul 2023
This morning, we are looking at some of the times we have received life saving care on the NHS. It's as today marks the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service.
I'm Becky Lomas, a news reader in West Yorkshire and I'm sharing my own story.
When I was 30 weeks pregnant with my son Alfie, I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia. It's a condition in pregnancy that can be fatal for mum and baby. It made me very poorly and I had to be kept in hospital and be monitored closely for over a month.
It also affected Alfie, restricting his growth when he was in the womb. Without expert care, we would have not survived.
Alfie had to be delivered at 33 weeks, weighing 3lb 8oz. It meant he had to go straight to intensive care and had a stay on the neonatal units in Leeds. Something I struggled with greatly was not being able to see him after he was born or have him with me.
Luckily for us, Alfie was in great hands and was cared for fantastically well.
Well to say a big thank you to the staff that saved our lives, we have been back to the LGI where Alfie was born to see the staff there.
We spoke to senior midwife Perdi Jeffers, who works on delivery suite:
"I don't always remember the woman's name, but it's the story I remember, you become part of the family...staff will never forget you because it will always be a day on their shift when you think 'oh my goodness'...it's absolutely amazing.
" You are in health care because you care, different women need different things. It's about empowering the woman and giving encouragement. I always think to myself that I always endeavour to look after a person as I would want a member of my family to be looked after. I go into whatever scenario I am in with that in mind, they shouldn't have anything less."
Megan Hopkins is a neonatal nurse at Leeds Children's Hospital:
"It is one of the hardest times of most peoples lives...It's a very rewarding job but it's also very emotionally challenging.
"I think for a lot of families you feel like you are robbed of a special time. When your baby has been born in this way you aren't able to cuddle them or feed them and they are taken straight from you. But one of the most rewarding part of our jobs is being able to be their when parents give the first cuddles to the baby and give the first feed. Supporting families is a huge part of this job.
"Some babies are critically unwell and some of the babies don't make it, so that's a big part of our job to support families."
Events are happening across the country today to mark the day, with buildings across West Yorkshire being lit up blue later.