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New mum says Withybush Midwife Led Unit is five star

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A Pembrokeshire mum whose twin girls died after being born at 24 weeks has praised the midwives at Withybush Hospital MLU (Midwife Led Unit) for the safe delivery of her little boy.

Keeley Rose, aged 30 from St David’s, gave birth to Tyler four weeks ago, with a little help from community midwives Elspeth Thompson and Julie York.

Born at 38 weeks, Tyler is a bouncing, fit and healthy baby boy and Keeley managed to bring him into the world with the support of her partner Fraser, the midwives, a birthing pool and a little gas and air.

It was a highly emotional birth as in March 2013 Keeley and Fraser lost their twin girls Isla and Harper, who were born prematurely. Isla died at Withybush Hospital shortly after birth and Harper three days later at Singleton Hospital.

“It was a massive shock,” said Keeley. “I’d been having back pains in the day and then had an enormous pain. I rang an ambulance and tried my best not to push but I could feel the babies coming. There was no explanation other than sometimes twins come too early. It’s still obviously painful, but they are part of our lives and we want to remember and talk about them.”

Keeley, who works as a healthcare assistant in the MLU at Withybush Hospital, was under consultant led care for most of her pregnancy with Tyler due to her previous early labour. But she was able to transfer back to midwife led care when she reached full term with her single pregnancy.

“I had to keep an open mind because of my history, but I knew, if at all possible, I wanted to have as natural a birth as possible without needles or drugs and different people prodding me.

“I attended antenatal yoga and learnt about perinatal massage and I took the attitude that it was mind over matter and I wanted to avoid epidurals and drugs.

“Thankfully I was able to have the option of birthing at the MLU once I had reached 37 weeks and because it was a single baby not twins.”

Keeley went into labour at almost 38 weeks. “I came into the MLU and tried to stay as active as possible. It was lush – five star – really comfortable and the midwives were great. Elspeth was really reassuring and made me feel safe and in control. Frazer was allowed to get into the birthing pool with me and having his support meant I didn’t feel alone.”

Tyler was born in the morning but it didn’t stop the couple and midwives celebrating with a glass of bubbly orange to celebrate his birth. And once the family were ready, they were discharged and Tyler was able to spend his first night in the world in his own home.

“The whole experience was wonderful,” said Keeley. “A fresh, happy memory, which we will treasure.

“I would really like to share my experience with others to encourage women to consider birthing in the MLU if they can. I’ve worked in the unit so I’ve seen the wonderful care provided from both perspectives. I would advise other mums-to-be not to be frightened but to speak to their midwife and visit the unit to make an informed decision.

“I would also advise fathers to get involved too. I took for granted a lot of information as I work within the service, but I made a special effort to ensure that Fraser was part of the pregnancy and birth so he came along to appointments and classes all along the way. By doing this, Dads can become an active part of the birth.”

Keeley is now enjoying time with Tyler at home. “Some days I feel like I don’t leave the sofa but it’s all worth it,” she said.

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Pembrokeshire miracle cat survives journey beneath moving recovery truck

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Zyla the fun-loving feline had a day to remember on Monday after climbing on the chassis of a recovery truck parked close to her home in Neyland.

After curling up into a cosy little ball, the 14-year-old cat found herself being whizzed around the roads of Pembrokeshire. And her journey continued on into the evening.

Just before 7pm, when the truck driver returned to Neyland, he heard some plaintive little cries coming from beneath his vehicle.

“They were quite loud cries, and when my partner went to investigate, this little beauty made an appearance,” said the recovery driver’s partner, Emma Louise James.

“We’ve no idea how she managed to stay securely on the vehicle throughout the afternoon because the truck had been on recoveries over quite a wide area including Whitland, Haverfordwest and Clarbeston Road.”.
Despite appearing to be uninjured, Emma decided to take the cat to the local vets in order that she could be scanned for a microchip.  They also put photographs of her on social media, hoping that her owner would recognise her and come forward. 

Sure enough, after no fewer than 1,700 shares, her owner, Paula Busby, was able to breathe a sigh of relief when she learned that her precious little Zyla was safe and well.

“This was one of the best presents I could have had,” Paula told The Herald.

“The last time I saw Zyla was mid afternoon on Monday.  I slipped out for a few hours but when I came back,the alarm bells immediately started ringing because Zyla always responds to the whistle.  But when I blew the whistle, there was no sign of her.”

Paula’s concerns were exacerbated by the fact that a few days previously, little Zyla had suffered a seizure and was booked in to see the vet.

“So in many ways, her adventure has been something of a blessing,” continued Paula.  “While she was at the vets she had another fit which enabled the vet to carry out some tests which confirmed that she has epilepsy.  So from now on she’s on medication to help her.

“When you consider how long she spent underneath the recovery truck, it really is a miracle that she survived.  From now on we shall be keeping a very close eye on her.

“We’re just so grateful to the hundreds of people who shared the post on Facebook and of course to Emma and her partner for doing everything they could to help little Zyla.

“She really is a miracle.”

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Crime

Lamphey man stole £1,300 from train passengers’ bags

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A LAMPHEY man has been sentenced for stealing £1,300 in cash and bank cards from passengers’ bags on the Tenby-Pembroke Dock train.

The court heard that on August 11, Luke Brummit, 46, removed two rucksacks from the luggage rack and searched them.

“The defendant took the bags into another carriage, searched them, and removed a purse and wallet before leaving the bags beneath the seat,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies told magistrates.

Brummit also admitted stealing £86.06 worth of items, including two legs of lamb and bottles of beer, from Sainsbury’s in Tenby on September 19.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said Brummit has since taken steps to address his behaviour: “He’s doing better than he’s ever done and is working to improve his conduct.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol monitoring programme. Brummit must pay £1,300 compensation to the victim, £86.06 to Sainsbury’s, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 in costs.

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Crime

Ex-refinery worker sentenced for harassment and stalking in Milford Haven

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A FORMER refinery worker has been sentenced after harassing his ex-partner by dumping rubbish in her garden and shouting through her letterbox.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that on June 14, at around 6:20am, Kyle Allerton, 29, arrived at Leah Jenkins’ property in Milford Haven after attempting to call and text her earlier that morning.

“He rang her at around 6:00am, then turned up at her property at 6:22am,” Crown Prosecutor Derek Davies said.

“He shouted through the letterbox, demanding she come to the door or window to talk to him. He then emptied bins over her garden before driving off in a white van.”

Jenkins said in her victim impact statement: “I feel harassed by his actions and worried about what he might have done.”

Probation officer Courtney Colman explained that Allerton had struggled to cope with the end of their seven-year relationship, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“He was drinking up to ten cans a day, which contributed to his losing his job at the refinery,” she said.

Allerton pleaded guilty to harassment. Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 10 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

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