A MIDWIFE whose own baby died just seven hours after being born has thanked her colleagues for making the last memories of her son ‘priceless’ .
Jasper Hawkesford was born on July 16 2014 at Warwick Hospital, where his mum Holly also works as a midwife.
Jasper was born weighing just over 8lb but had severely underdeveloped lungs, something that could not have been discovered before his birth, and tragically died hours later.
Holly and husband Jon, who are also parents to four-year-old Tessy, have praised staff on Warwick Hospital’s Maternity Unit for their ‘compassion and care’ during such a difficult time.
Holly said: “The staff worked tirelessly to save Jasper and when it was apparent he was not going to live they facilitated a beautiful, calm and loving environment for us to say goodbye to our son as he died in my arms. They encouraged us to make some magical, priceless memories, taking hundreds of photographs and having our family meet Jasper and share in not just the sorrow but also the joy of him. We will treasure every detail of that time forever.
“I have worked alongside these people for the past 11 years, but now I know it from the other side. I cannot underestimate how difficult it was for them all when they were so emotionally involved and yet they remained so professional and continued to provide their uncompromising care.”
Since Jasper’s death the family have set up an organisation called Jasper’s Rainbow to help the charities which have supported them.
They have held cake sales and completed marathons in Jasper’s memory, raising more than £2,000 for the maternity unit and bereavement support charities Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) and Edward’s Trust.
And now dad Jon, along with 12 relatives and friends, is taking on a 200 mile bike-ride from Warwick Hospital to Salcombe in Devon in a bid to get further donations.
Jon said: “We named the organisation Jasper’s Rainbow because there was a rainbow shining directly over the hospital during the brief time our son was in the world. He is our rainbow, here fleetingly and filling the world with wonder.
“The maternity unit and charities have given our family amazing support over the last seven months, it would have been impossible to get over if it wasn’t for them. We wanted to give something back and help them support other families in similar situations.
“Salcombe has always been a special place for us and cycling from the hospital where not only Jasper was born but my wife works as a midwife seems like the right thing to do in memory of our son.”
The team are undertaking the gruelling ride on March 31 and aim to complete it within four days.
Visit www.justgiving.com/teams/jaspersrainbow to donate.
