"Fetal medicine, nicu and maternity at QEUH"

At 21 weeks pregnant with our much longed for second child, during a 20 week rescan our baby was discovered to have a very high heart rate by Diane at IRH maternity. She quickly referred us to fetal medicine where we were seen the next day by Dr Hunter and Dr Brennan. Our baby was diagnosed with fetal svt, and I was treated by fetal medicine for the rest of my pregnancy. We were incredibly lucky that the medication managed to stabilise my babies heart rate and get her to full term. Throughout my care with fetal medicine Dr Hunter, the fetal cardiologist, Dr Brennan and midwife Megan were amazing.  Sometimes seeing them twice weekly for scans and tests they treated me with care and respect and I came to look forward to seeing them despite the stressful circumstances. Dr Hunter is an incredibly calming person and I never doubted her abilities or care which is everything you could ask for from a doctor. 

  I also had ecgs and bloods at maternity assessment in QEUH up to twice weekly and the midwives here were always very attentive and helpful despite being in a very busy ward.  

 Once our daughter was born she was monitored within Nicu and then Scbu for 4 days where the care she received was exceptional. A special mention to Dr Chan in scbu for being so caring and patient. He really took the time to chat with us and reassure. All of the nurses in neonatal were amazing and the tests and checks she had were all really reassuring. Finally we also received time with the cardiac liaison nurse Emma who trained us to listen to our babies heart rate and how to check her for signs of svt and having a direct line to speak to her and the team once home is invaluable. 

Our daughter is now home and thriving but ongoing checks are under care of paediatric cardiology and there was a seamless transition to this with her first appointment at 2 weeks old with thorough testing and follow up.

From the initial discovery of our babies condition right through to the care we are receiving now I cannot fault the teams at Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow and the Childrens Hospital.

What was an incredibly stressful and emotional time was made so much more manageable by attention and time given. I cannot speak highly enough of them all and we are incredibly thankful to them for the safe arrival of our beautiful baby girl and for the care we continue to receive going forward.