As Wolviston couple Laura and Arron Gardiner looked to the birth of their second child, they hadn’t planned on a middle name. But that quickly changed when they met one trainee doctor assisting Laura with her delivery.
30-year-old pub manager Laura arrived at the University Hospital of North Tees with her husband Arron, a 30-year-old self-employed electrician at Copperlink Ltd., in August to welcome their second child to the world.
Following a difficult first birth and a series of miscarriages, Laura opted for an elective caesarean section to give birth to their son, Rory. Assisting with her procedure were anaesthetics trainee Dr Wes Channell and consultant anaesthetist Dr Pradeep Orakkan.
Mum Laura said: “The morning we went in for my C-section, I found out that I had pre-eclampsia. It’s a weird experience anyway going into surgery to give birth but after my first birth experience and with the pre-eclampsia as well, I was getting more and more nervous.
“We went into surgery on time, as scheduled. And the team in surgery were just so reassuring – Wes especially.
“I met Wes before the operation and he talked me through everything and kept me reassured throughout. He was just really lovely and did everything he could to calm me down.”
“It just felt right”
Undecided on a middle name for baby Rory, the couple’s birth experience was so positive that they opted to name him after Dr Channell. Weighing 5lb 13oz, Rory Wes Gardiner was born on Thursday 10 August.
Laura continued: “I didn’t even know Wes’ name at the time I was having the surgery. A member of staff told us his name later and it just felt right – we decided to use it as Rory’s middle name.
“We didn’t really have a middle name in mind before Rory was born – it probably wouldn’t have been Wes though. It wouldn’t have even crossed our minds.”
Rory is now settled in at home with his big sister two-year-old Mabel, having put on a healthy amount of weight.
Laura added: “Rory’s doing so well. He’s really settled and he’s just started smiling which is a joy to see. And Mabel is a brilliant big sister.
“After a difficult first birth, our second experience was lovely, just really lovely. It was so appreciated having the team there – Dr Oo, Wes and my midwife Julie who was also amazing.”
28-year-old anaesthetics trainee Wes has been in his role for two years and started his position at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust earlier this year.
He said: “All we really want as anaesthetists is for patients to be happy and comfortable and have a good experience so I’m delighted Laura and Arron had such a positive experience.
“To have a baby named after you on top of that is certainly a career defining moment. It’s fantastic.”