I’m not sure when this blog will go out, but I wanted to write it in the moment. (Sorry to be corny). In January my wife and I discovered that we were expecting our second child, no denying that it was a shock, but a happy one! However, at the 20 week scan a complication was picked up and we were referred to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire where more in-depth scans were performed, sadly, it was not good news, Baby had formed what was called occipital encephalocele, I’ll let you google it as I can’t quite bring myself to describe it to you today. But in a nutshell, Baby would not survive if they went full term, so we made a heartbreaking decision.
On our wedding anniversary we began the process at George Eliot Hospital and we were asked to return in 48 hours where a special room would be set up for us. Now, I knew all about this room, I designed the furniture in there. Please don’t think this is some kind of shameless plug, it isn’t! It’s a thank you!
First of all a massive thank you to the Maternity Team at George Eliot, they were absolutely wonderful, especially the Midwives and Support Workers who took extra care of us!
Also the Bereavement Team who have looked after us all the way, to remain so caring and compassionate day after day whilst couples are going through this is admirable.
Next is friends and family, who supported us through this tough time and lastly I really want to thank my friends and team at JFW Ltd, for allowing me to be where I need to be with my family, by keeping things in motion and also for doing such and amazing job on the Bereavement Room furniture in 2023, furniture I never ever thought I’d see again, let alone use.
It’s funny how things come full circle, as we sit in the room waiting for things to happen I try to distract myself by remembering the process we went through for this job. It was heartbreaking to hear what families would have to deal with in this room. I listened to the requirements that the team gave to me, trying to keep a brave face hearing and trying to understand what other people would have to go through! Not me though, nah, this sort of thing doesn’t happen to me. Thing is, it does, and I’m so bloody proud that like we always do, we put the most thought and effort we possibly can into this project even though we believed that we probably would never use it.
So on Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 12.30 pm my wife gave birth to a tiny little girl who survived, despite all the odds stacked against her, for 3 hours. She didn’t suffer, it was just her body doing it’s thing, but I am proud of her, an absolute fighter!
Again, thank you to everyone, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Have a great weekend everybody. And Belle, I miss you darling, sleep well.
Adam.
