Bedford woman's fundraiser appeal to change maternity ward layout after losing baby

In August last year, Steffi Goodwin, 25, lost her daughter when she was six months pregnant.

She had to give birth to her baby at Bedford Hospital - and her experience has led her to ask the hospital to consider rearranging the maternity ward.

Steffi, from Bedford, said: "Last year I lost my baby girl, Ayla, at six months pregnant and I still had to go through labour.

"The hospital and nurses and midwives were all amazing but we did find the layout of the maternity department a bit difficult.

"After we had the news that there was no heart beat we had to walk back through the waiting room, where expectant mums were waiting to have scans.

"We then had to go to another bit to have the baby, and we had to walk through delivery and it was heartbreaking to hear new-born babies cries and seeing mums with their babies, when we were walking to go to the room, it was a devastating walk.

"We have spoken to the hospital about reconstructing the layout so other people who experience what we did don't have to go on that heartbreaking walk.

"The hospital have been really supportive and have listened to what we have said and are looking into the options available."

Steffi is holding a bake sale at Urbanite Hair Salon, on Mill Street, on Friday, February 14, and half price charity hair day at Luciana's Hair Boutique, on Castle Road, on Saturday, February 22. Both events will be raising money for the project.

A spokesperson for Bedford Hospital said: “Bedford Hospital NHS Trust are always grateful for the support and dedication of our patients in helping us improve and enhance patient services.

"We have had discussions with Steffi Goodwin and her partner around how we can improve the experience of our maternity patients who experience bereavement/loss of a baby.

"The Hospital will continue to work together with patients to implement changes wherever possible.”

Steffi also runs The Hope and Faith Foundation, a charity that helps raise awareness and funds for different hospitals and charities.

She added: "We have done fundraising in the past for the hospital and last year we raised £10,000.

"This time we are aiming to raise £15,000, the money raised will go towards a project for rearranging the maternity ward, with the support of the hospital."

The charity ball is on Saturday, May 23, at Bedford Blues rugby club, tickets are £30 and include the entertainment and buffet, for more information and tickets email: [email protected].