Barnsley family praise Mid Yorkshire maternity team as baby Jude celebrates his first birthday | News

A year after the birth of their son, Jude, William and Tonie Hopkins from Barnsley have reached out to thank the maternity staff at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust for the care that helped save his life.
 
Jude, who celebrated his first birthday this month, is the younger brother of Phoebe, aged 7. His birth was far from straightforward, and Tonie has shared her story in the hope of recognising the staff who she says were “quite literally life-saving”.
 
During labour, Jude’s heart rate began to drop, prompting an emergency transfer to theatre for a Caesarean section. After delivery, it was discovered that he had passed meconium, had a rare two-vessel cord which was wrapped around his neck four times and had a true knot in the cord - a combination of complications staff told Tonie they had never seen occurring together.
 
Tonie said: “I want to say a huge thank you to my midwife and coordinator, Charlotte. In the most frightening moments of my life, you were the one who noticed my baby was in trouble. Your quick thinking, calmness, and instinct quite literally saved us.
 
“You acted without hesitation and got me to theatre before it was too late. I will never forget the care, compassion, and strength you showed that day. Thank you, Charlotte - for being our voice when we needed it most, and for giving my little boy the chance to be here today.”
 
She also shared her gratitude to the surgeon who delivered Jude safely: “We would like to thank my surgeon, Mr Mike Togobo, for delivering Jude to me safely during the emergency C-section. Your professionalism and steady care helped put me at ease during a difficult moment, and I’m very grateful for everything you did for us.”
 
Tonie added her thanks to the wider team: “Thank you to the other professionals who supported me and Jude, both during the delivery and in the days that followed. Your care, kindness, and reassurance meant so much to us.”
 
Reflecting on Jude today, she said: “Jude is a gorgeous little boy who is always smiling and full of energy. He loves his toy cars and trucks, especially spinning the wheels, and nothing makes him giggle more than playing peekaboo with his blanket. He is everything we hoped for and more.”
 
Kerry Reede Field, the Trust's Director of Midwifery, Children’s Nursing and Women’s Health said: “We are extremely grateful to Tonie and William for sharing their story. Their words are a powerful reminder of the skill, compassion and dedication of our maternity team and I am immensely proud of the exceptional care they provide to families across our communities.” 

Families, like Tonie and William, wishing to share their birth experience or thank the midwives who cared for them can do so via the Trust’s maternity Facebook page @MYMidYorksMaternity or Instagram @MYMaternityNeonatal.