As we raise awareness of Thasnk you Day today and International Paramedics Day (July 8) this week, we share Hayley’s story to show the life-saving service its paramedics offer to communities in need.  

Hayley says: “Leading up to my daughter’s birth, I had been in and out of hospital for a few weeks due to bleeding and low placenta. I was due to have my baby at the end of June 2016 but my low placenta created a wall between my baby and a safe birth. The position of my baby and pressure meant my waters broke at 31 weeks, sending me into early labour nearly two months before my due date.

“At around 8am on 27 April, I started bleeding heavily. I rang 999 at about 8.10am, I was distraught thinking I’d lost my daughter. The paramedics arrived at around 8.15am, they were shocked at the amount of blood I’d lost and took me straight to hospital in the ambulance. They were fantastic, keeping me calm during a really traumatic time. While in the ambulance I realised I hadn’t felt her move as normal which added to my stress. When I got to the hospital at 8.30am, they rushed me to the delivery ward and I was put on the monitor, which showed I was having contractions. Unfortunately the contractions carried on getting stronger and the risk of me delivering the placenta first was extremely high.”

Shortly after Hayley’s admission to hospital, baby Willow arrived at 3.32pm, 31+3 weeks weighing just 3lb 10oz. Willow struggled with her breathing and had to be ventilated at birth.

Hayley continues: “I’m so grateful to the two paramedics that responded so quickly, getting me and Willow the help we needed. Without them she definitely wouldn’t be here today. Up until Willow was three-years-old, she experienced a number of emergency trips to the hospital for breathing issues. Each time I rang an ambulance and they were fantastic with her – I really can’t thank the ambulance crews enough.”