Dear Editor

I was admitted to St Lukes at 8.30am on the 27th September 2007 after my waters broke at home. The baby was at this point 11 days overdue. Wewere told we would be here for the long haul and the presence of lots of meconium meant they were watching the baby like a hawk.

We were shown into our labour and delivery room on a very busy day. Baby slithered out at 6.47pm ­ She was then whisked to the paediatrician who cleaned her up andpronounced her totally fine despite the meconium. By 9pm the three of us were alone in the roomin slightly dazed amazement just with our new nurse, Erica, who had charming task of clearing up all the blood. We were enraptured by Esme, our little precious bundle ­ 7lb 6oz and 19 inches ­dark hair with a tuft that stuck up on the crown, a little turnedup nose, sweet pointy chin, petite hands, longish slender legs with aminiature version of Colman¹s feet. Her first full day, Friday 28th, was spent hanging out and dozing with her parents who were getting a handle on feeding, changing, sleeping, photographing our gorgeous baby and avoiding panic at every little gurgle,s igh and snort. We were shown how to bathe the baby, recovery procedures, given medication, attention, care and all with great warmth and humanity. Apparently the full moon always sees a spike in births and while we had been in labour another 4 babies had been delivered around us. We also had a lovely message from my pre-natal doctor, Dr Laura Norrell, whowas really excited to hear our news.

We had a wonderful birthing experience at St Lukes and are horrified and dismayed that the labour and delivery ward is under threat. It turns out that other hospitals we would have been pushed into having a C-section because of the meconium; at St Lukes there was no mention of this possibility at any point. We found all the staff to be fun, human, professional, courteous, down to earth, kind and thoughtful.

Yours sincerely

Nadine Mellor

Colman Stephenson

Esme Stephenson