Susan Polland

Ramadan Mubarak to all families in the Review, colleagues, and staff. ✨ May this be a peaceful and blessed month. Wishing you happiness, and good health.

Staying personally detached from toxicity helps you to respond calmly instead of engaging destructively.

Giving Grieving Families the Gift of Compassion – Big Give donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS… @heldinourhearts

Proud to attend the Championing Black Maternal Mental Health event in Parliament last night. Black mothers still face unacceptable inequalities, and it was powerful to hear from those leading the push for change. Thanks to The Motherhood Group, MMHA and Centre for Mental Health for their vital work and commitment to supporting better, safer, culturally competent care for all families.

I am a mother harmed by NHS maternity services. I rarely talk about this, but I believe it helps people understand my position — both as a mother and as a midwife. In my fourth pregnancy in 2019, I was mentally and physically tortured. I was told multiple times that my baby might be stillborn. I couldn’t connect with my son because I feared he might not live. I was admitted to hospital for 10 days, given steroids, and endured 72 hours of hourly blood sugar checks. Not one doctor gave the same advice or followed the same guideline. I was unnecessarily induced at 36+6 weeks. My vagina was swollen and red raw from the medication. I endured nine vaginal examinations in 24 hours and screamed in pain down the ward. A distant memory was my peaceful home birth some eight years earlier. My son was born perfectly healthy — neither large nor small, as they had predicted. I was judged by colleagues and spoken about disrespectfully by the consultant only minutes after giving birth. I didn’t understand birth trauma until years later. It’s a silent diagnosis, if you can even call it that. I was told I should be grateful — I was alive, and my baby was alive. But what I experienced was significant postnatal depression, PTSD, and a devastating loss of confidence in myself as a woman, midwife, and mother. I barely remember my son’s first year of life — lost in a fog of anxiety and numbness. He was born on the eve of Covid, and I spent the following years wading through mud, trying to keep afloat. As a midwife, I have seen it all — blood, death, screams, suffering, happiness, joy, sadness, loneliness, peace, and indescribable torture. I have witnessed the best and the very worst of what birth can be. People don’t understand birth trauma unless they’ve walked through it. Alongside that, I carry midwifery trauma — the kind that comes from witnessing and enduring the brokenness of the very system you work in. Unless you’ve been an NHS midwife, you cannot truly understand the depth of that pain. Until we can talk about this openly — without attacking each other as women — we will never heal. We need each other to push the boundaries away. Those in positions of power need to listen and act, not gaslight and ignore. They have the upmost power and authority to make change and to me, that is no further death or harm should continue to happen. I am a bereaved mother. I am a mother with birth trauma. I am a midwife, carrying birth trauma on a mass scale. @wesstreeting @Jeremy_Hunt @nmcnews @NHSEngland @NHSuk

Calling health professionals @BMFMSNews @BAPM_Official @RCObsGyn . We need obstetricians and midwives to participate in a face to face workshop in Manchester on 3rd November to determine the 10 top priorities for UK stillbirth research. stillbirthpsp.org.uk/intro.htm DM if interested.

If you’re pregnant, you’ve got a reason to get the flu vaccine as you’re a greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus. For more information and to book an appointment visit nhsinform.scot/flu #FluHitsHarder

It’s important your child gets all the vaccines they are offered at the right time to make sure they’ve got longer-term protection as they grow up. When it’s time, you’ll receive a letter from the NHS with details of the appointment and what vaccines they’re being offered.

We are delighted to say that our recruitment is now open again recruiting Ward Helper & Meaningful Activity volunteers in our 3 main hospitals. @RIE_Lothian @WghLothian & @LothianSjh Please read carefully information on our website. nhslothian.scot/getinvolved/vo…

@NHS_Lothian Congratulations Juliet

🌟 Congrats to Juliet MacArthur, Chief Nurse Research and Development, NHS Lothian, on receiving the RCN Fellowship, its highest honour! 👏 A true leader in advancing nursing through research across the UK 💙 Read more: ow.ly/AUOV50VTlrK

We are delighted to give you #Didyouknow facts about our volunteer service @NHS_Lothian Our Welcome Guides at all our large hospital sites make a huge difference to our patients and visitors. @RIE_Lothian #FactFriday

@heldinourhearts The partnership has grown so much over the years. Thank you for all that you do. The support you provide is irreplaceable 🥰

Nicola and Heather had a great morning with some of the St John’s team discussing 2024 and our support of bereaved parents working in partnership so no one is alone after their return home.

As we recognise #swallowaware2025 day @RCSLT #volunteer Hannah shares her experience of supporting staff in the Stroke Unit of the @RIE_Lothian by helping to feed patients #nhsvolunteers #mealtimehelping #dementiaawareness #thankyou

WGH Team of the Month - Oncology secretaries in ECC - recognised for their dedication teamwork and generosity in giving back during a difficult time Their efforts have not only raised vital funds for a great cause but demonstrated the importance of community and support ❤️🌟🌟👏

#nutritionandhydrationweek2025 in Ward 21 SJH @lisadoolan6 @KyrstineH @SmattieWilson @LothianSjh @NHS_Lothian @NHWeek