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Sophia’s story

Sophia Chishty 25, is very grateful for the help she received from the Gateway Midwifery Team, which supports vulnerable women.

Sophia started seeing a Gateway Team midwife when she was five months’ pregnant. She had been going through a difficult relationship and was struggling to attend antenatal classes when she was referred to the team by Barts and The London Maternity Service. She saw one of the midwives every two weeks at Children’s Centres near her home.

Sophia says: ‘The team referred me to a psychologist, contacted my social worker to ensure I was getting the support I was entitled to, and gave me regular check-ups during my pregnancy.

‘I felt very lonely and isolated at the time – the midwife was someone to talk to. They were a shoulder to lean on when I didn’t have anyone else, and they gave me an emergency number so I could contact them if I had problems out-of-hours.’

Sophia gave birth to her son at The Royal London Hospital in July 2007.

‘The birth went very well and he is now an alert and happy little boy,’ says Sophia. ‘The Gateway Team have continued to help, referring me to different classes such as baby massage and breastfeeding support. They gave me so much support during my pregnancy at a time when I really needed it – they were amazing.’