THERE were some emotional reunions at a special event at Oxford Brookes University which celebrated the work of midwives across the county.

An afternoon tea at the university campus in Headington Road offered mothers the chance to say thank you to the midwives who had helped them through their pregnancies.

Oxford Brookes hosted the event on Thursday to tie in with the NHS 70th anniversary which was celebrated earlier this month.

Mother-of-four Mairead O’Connor was able to meet senior lecturer in midwifery at Oxford Brookes University Ethel Burns who had delivered all four of her children.

She said: “I first met Ethel when I was pregnant and wanted more information on water births.

"She was able to give me lots of information as she is an expert in this area.

"Our relationship has grown stronger as she has supported me through pregnancy and the births of my four children. I consider Ethel a dear friend and she is very much a part of our lives.”

While Fiona Rodden attended to say thank you to her midwife Tracey Hatt, whom she hadn't seen since the birth of her daughter Asha in April this year.

After a difficult first birth with her son in 2016, Fiona requested Ms Hatt as her midwife when she became pregnant again.

Fiona said of her experience: “I requested Tracey because she is so kind, patient, had a great sense of humour and is genuinely caring for her mums.

"I saw her throughout my second pregnancy and wholly agree that having a named midwife you trust makes an immense difference."

Mrs Rodden, who experience complications during the pregnancy added: “I needed a fair amount of help to recover after and I was very sad not to see Tracey as my many appointments always seemed to clash with her other commitments.

"Though I know she made a point of finding out what happened I always wanted to see her again to say thank you so so much.

"In my mind Tracey is absolutely everything that embodies what we want from our midwives and the NHS as a whole.

"I have been so grateful to have her as my midwife.

"People like Tracey don’t get enough thank-yous for the excellent work they do.”

The Oxford Mail reported recently how a shortage of midwives had seen Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust send senior staff and managers back to the front line to plug vacancies.