"Very grateful to maternity team"

My husband and I lost twins late in our first pregnancy due to stillbirth and neonatal death. During my third pregnancy, concerns for the baby's development were raised at the twelve week scan. We were referred urgently to UCLH's Fetal Medicine Unit and seen within the week by a cardial fetal specialist (Fred Ushakov) who found more risk factors and acted promptly to ensure they remained monitored.

The rest of the pregnancy was blighted with intermittent problems as regular scans found irregularities both in the placenta and the baby. We were seen fortnightly by the head of the Unit (Prof. Peebles) and a caesarean planned for the baby's safe delivery. Professor Peebles and his outstading team of midwives Victoria Wolley and Georgie Fox made sure those difficult months were spent safe in the knowledge that any issues would be investigated and communicated to us effectively so informed choices could be made.

A very sympathetic obstetrician (Mr Seni Subair) delivered the baby at 37 weeks' gestation.

Although our first, very tragic pregnancy was in part monitored by the Fetal Medicine Unit at UCLH and we do not agree with some of the choices the team made at the time, in our third pregnancy consistent care and all-important communication between professionals brought about a good result.

In our experience personal advocacy is key to sourcing good state healthcare, but complex cases require professionals of a standard like that of UCLH's Fetal Medicine Unit. We are very grateful to the team for establishing good rapport with us and providing excellent maternity care.