My heart gos out to you Charley and all the kids like you! your a beautiful girl and very loved And Thankyou AIM for everything you are doing! you have opened my eyes to all this and i hope there is some way that we all can prevent this from happening again and again! XOXOXO

Hi
I just read the article about Jenn Hooper in todays NZ Herald and couldnt stop crying. Charley is so stunningly beautiful and I cant believe the strength that Jenn has to keep smiling and make her daughters life as happy as it can be.
I too have been skeptical of the midwife led system for many years and these feelings only intensified after giving birth. Although, luckily, my daughter was born safely there were times during labour when the midwife blatantly ignored our wishes and acted outside her scope of practice.
Reading about Jenn & Charley today served as a stark reminder to me how lucky I was and how lucky all NZ mothers are to have someone like Jenn fighting for them. She is an inspiration and she will forever be in my thoughts. Whenever I get fed up, frustrated or tired of motherhood or tell my daughter to be quiet or calm down I will remember how precious & sacred it is to be able to hear your childs voice and watch them running around.

Retired Ob/Gyn.
My main interest was mums and babies - learning about women and mothers. Relating closely to midwives -sharing care. Even a few home births! Now sad at the "Independent Midwives" set up.
Nodoby in medicine is independent.
Wish you very well @ AIM

Honey,
I so feel for you. Our wee baby girl was admitted to Starship with multiple seizures when she was 10 days old and was diagnosed two weeks later with a rare, untreatable, likely fatal brain condition that, if she didn't die, would leave her vegetative. So I do know the depths of grief, the shock, the path of thought, the pain.

There have been dark days when I wondered how long I'd get in prison if I ended things for her - something I'd never have ever expected myself to have to think... and a thought that thoroughly surprised and frightened me.

People who don't live our lives don't get it. It's nice to have people around that care, but it doesn't make things any easier. Platitudes and words rarely help, no matter how well meaning.

Our situation wasn't the result of a medical misadventure (not that we know of anyway), so we don't have the ability to 'blame' anyone or anything, so I can't imagine the anger that you feel. You're *** to be coping with it - even though I'm sure you have many days when you don't think you are.

All the very best with changing the system, hun. Since I heard your story I haven't been able to get you out of my head.

Sending you lots of love from across the cyber-universe. You're always in my thoughts.

Warmest blessings,

Jasmine

hi what a fantastic job you are doing at raising awareness, i had a near miss with my daughter Sophie due to what i consider complete lack of care from my midwife thankfully after a few days in nicu and fantastic care from hospital staff we were able to take our healthy baby home but so very easily could of ended differently

hello charley - love you very much - and your mum too, for working so hard xx

After a prolonged second stage labour and forceps delivery I have a beautiful son but suffered horrific injuries myself from, I believe, lack of care. Although my son, luckily, is now fine, my specialist needs to be a little kinder next time. Gd luck with your mission for better maternity care.

Keep up the good work you are doing Jenn we are all so proud of you and will work beside you as you continue the fight for change.

Continue to fight for changes - DONT give up, we all need to be a voice for these children and babies who have lost their own.

It is good to know there is a voice for little ones like Charley who cannot speak for herself.