Baby Tobi given middle name of Michael after "kind and compassionate" midwife

A mum overwhelmed by the care provided by a midwife during a premature birth has said thanks in a most unusual way.

Shania Jenkins and Liam John are the proud parents of Tobias Michael John. And the middle name of Michael was chosen to honour Singleton Hospital midwife Michael Nixon, who helped the couple through a very frightening time.

“His kindness just made everything better,” said first-time mum Shania, who lives in Bynea. “For a few days after we couldn’t even say Michael’s name without getting emotional. And that is when we made the decision to put his name into Tobi’s name.”

(Main image above shows Shania with baby Tobi)

Shania has a rare form of diabetes called MODY, or maturity-onset diabetes of the young, and had to be monitored during her pregnancy.

Then living in Bridgend, she went to Princess of Wales Hospital for a routine scan only to be told she was going into labour at 28 weeks.

She was transferred to Singleton Hospital, where she was given a drug to reduce the chances of the baby being born that early.

(Right: midwife Michael Nixon with Liam and Shania, along with midwife Leanne Daniel)

“They couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t come,” Shania, aged 26, said. “But it worked. He stayed in for an extra six weeks.

“And that made a massive difference because he would have been tiny. He was eventually born at 34 weeks weighing four pound eight ounces, which was a good weight considering.”

However, Tobi’s arrival was far from straightforward. Shania went in to deliver him at 34 weeks. But it was a slow labour and after two days with nothing happening she decided to go home.

No sooner had she arrived home than she started feeling back contractions and Liam immediately returned her to Singleton.

There the couple were supported by midwife Abbey Hughes, who stayed with them all night. “She was amazing as well,” Shania said. “She was rubbing my back. She was making us laugh. I really appreciated that because it didn’t make me feel as scared.”

The following day they were supported by another midwife, Kristy McCullar, who they said was just as supportive as Abby.

Finally, baby Tobi arrived, only for Shania to start haemorrhaging. And that was when Michael came to the fore. Shania had met him briefly on her first day in Singleton, when he put her cannula in. “He was so nice to me, so kind and genuine,” she recalled.

Obstetric registrar Dr Aishvarya Gupta and Michael stopped the bleeding. In the meantime, Tobi was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, while Michael stayed with Shania to monitor her.

“He told me that, even though Tobi wasn’t with me, he was more than happy for me to go to Tobi if I felt up to it. And then he wheeled my bed up to NICU so I could see him,” she said.

“When we came back, I was really anxious about staying by myself because I had haemorrhaged. It was just really scary. I whispered to Liam, ‘I don’t know how I feel about you going home tonight’.

“I didn’t say anything to Michael, but he must have overheard me because he came back in with a pull-out bed and said Liam could stay on that. He came back every hour but not just to check on me but to reassure me that the bleeding had not restarted.

“He was just really good at knowing what I needed without me needing to say it. He looked after Liam too. He just so kind and compassionate. Michael just being there uplifted everything.”

(Left: Baby Tobi’s first Christmas)

This happened last September, with the couple later deciding to give Tobi the middle name of Michael to thank the person they will never forget. And as for the baby himself, he, like his parents, is doing well.

“He’s got the most hair I have ever seen on a baby,” Shania said. “And he’s thriving. He’s coming along so well.

“Even though his milestones are a bit delayed because he was premature, he is such a happy, smiley baby.”

Michael said he was truly touched to learn that Shania and Liam had chosen to give Tobi his name as a middle name. “That’s something I will never forget and feel incredibly honoured by,” he added.

“The comments from Shania genuinely mean a great deal to me. Knowing that my care made a difference during what was a frightening and overwhelming experience is incredibly humbling.”

Michael said midwives aimed to provide safe clinical care, but also reassurance, honesty and compassion at times when women and families felt most vulnerable.

(Right: Liam with smiley Tobi)

“Supporting someone through uncertainty and separation from their baby is never something we take lightly. I’m grateful to have been able to offer some comfort and continuity during that time,” he said.

“Shania’s feedback reinforces why I am so passionate about the role. Being able to support women and their families through such significant moments in their lives is a privilege.

“Comments like this remind me of the importance of listening, being present and tailoring care to each individual’s needs.

“I’m also proud to have been part of a wider team whose care contributed to such a positive outcome for Shania and Liam.

“I will carry this feedback with me and continue striving to provide the same level of compassionate, honest, and person-centred care to every family I support.”