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Our little treasure

Emiliene White
12/ 4/2006

MELANIE Geogheghan went through one of the worst experiences a new mother can have.

Just after Christmas 2003 she tragically miscarried her first baby.

But thanks to the care they received at Tameside Hospital she and husband Steven, 33, survived the experience and went on to have their treasured nine-month-old daughter Niamh.

"Because I was six months gone when I miscarried I had to go through labour and they put us in this special room called the Harebell Suite, which was like a little flat," said Melanie.

"They were wonderful, constantly reassuring and never left us in the dark about anything. I don't think I could have coped otherwise."

When the 33-year-old social worker found she was pregnant again she felt a mixture of delight and dread.

"I didn't enjoy my pregnancy until I was 24 weeks in, when I knew something could be done if it went wrong. But again everyone was wonderful.

"They remembered me from the last time and the stenographer said she was so pleased for me.

"I was seen every month by the same consultant and it was reassuring to have that continuity."

The pair dote on their rosy-cheeked baby daughter and are getting ready to move from their home on St Paul's Street in Stalybridge to a bigger house in readiness for the next addition to their family.

Both are terrified at the prospect of Tameside's unit closing down.

HGV driver Steven said: "If they did decide to close it we'd have to say right let's get on with it and have the baby now so we can still have it at Tameside.

"We don't want to go anywhere else. If all these mums were to have babies at one hospital, I just don't believe they're going to get the same level of care."