A WIRRAL midwife has been shortlisted for a national award in recognition of the constant support she gave a Wallasey mum following the stillbirth of her son.

Nicole Abernethy nominated midwife Heather Lennox for Tommy’s Danone Healthcare Hero Award not only for the outstanding care she gave when her son Steven was stillborn at 42 weeks in February 2013, but also for supporting her through her next pregnant with baby Irisha, who Heather delivered healthy and happy at full-term.

The 26-year-old was overdue with son Steven and had complications including pre-eclampsia and sepsis.

Following an induction at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital, Steven was tragically stillborn.

But despite being on leave that day, Heather – a bereavement specialist from Birkenhead – arrived at Nicole’s side to deliver her baby and supported her through her loss, dressing Steven, handing him to Nicole and helping her to say goodbye.

Heather even attended Steven’s funeral and stayed in touch with Nicole over the coming months.

She was there for Nicole again through her nerve-wracking second pregnancy, again coming in from leave to deliver baby Irisha via a c-section at 38 weeks.

Heather is now “Auntie Heather” to the family, with Nicola nominating her for the Tommy’s award to say thank you for her outstanding care throughout every part of her experience.

Nicole said: “I can’t describe how much Heather has helped me and I couldn’t be happier that she delivered both of my children.

“Nothing is too much for her – she came off leave when Steven was born and also took time out to support me at his funeral.

“When I was pregnant with Irisha, I had a scare at 22 weeks, I texted her and she was there with me within 15 minutes even though it was her day off.”

Nicole added: “Irisha is three months old and she’s just as involved – she’s now Auntie Heather. She’ll be a friend for life.”

Heather is currently in the process of setting up a coffee morning for parents who have gone through the same experience as Nicole.

The labour ward co-ordinator at Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital qualified as a midwife in 1998 and was given responsibility for bereavement eight years ago.

Heather said: “Losing a baby is heartbreaking and I enjoy looking after the mums, making sure that they are ok and that everything they want is done for them.

“Any of the women are welcome to call me 24/7 and even if it’s the middle of the night, I’ll be there.

“A lot of people think that a midwife’s role is really beautiful but there’s also a lot of sadness, and I want to see mums who have gone through a loss treated as well as everyone else, made comfortable and supported.

Now in its 20th year, the Tommy’s Awards recognise individuals that make a difference to families and, in particular, those whose lives have been touched by pregnancy complications or the loss of a baby.

One in four parents experiences the heartache of losing a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth and, every year in the UK, one in 13 babies are born prematurely.

The Danone Healthcare Hero Award goes to a healthcare professional who has provided exceptional physical care or emotional support to parents in the wake of pregnancy complications.

The winners will be announced at the Tommy’s Awards in a star-studded ceremony in London on March 20.