Name: Georgie Brehaut
Organisation: Musgrove Park Hospital
Award Category: Healthcare Professional
Sponsored By:
Voting Is Now Closed
My Plea:
I am an obstetric registrar and have been working in Bristol and the South West for the last 4 years.
Working as an obstetric registrar is a unique privilege where I get to spend time with women and their families, often on the best day of their lives. I am fortunate enough to be able to help bring babies into the world in complicated, high risk scenarios which are made better by the birth of a live child.
Many people think that the reason I do my job is because of these happy days. The truth is very different. Whilst it goes without saying that these days are rewarding, my job can also involve extreme lows, and there are times when I have to give people the worst news they can hear.
I am there on the worst day. I am the doctor who will tell you those words “I am sorry; your baby has died”. During these moments I feel strongly that there is one thing which supersedes many aspects of the medical care we give, kindness. To be kind and compassionate in these unimaginable circumstances is what I strive for and I am beyond humbled and honoured to have been nominated for a Butterfly award as a result of this.
Did you know that there is no word used to describe the loss of a child in the world? If you lose your spouse then you are a widow or widower, if your parents die then you may be referred to as an orphan, but there is no noun used to describe those parents who have suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or death of a child. Perhaps this is because this loss is truly indescribable that there is no descriptor strong enough to convey this, but I feel it is more than that. When you lose a child, at whatever stage, you are and will always be a mother or a father. You will always have a son or a daughter. You will always be missing some part of your heart.
When I am caring for families I feel it is of the utmost importance to remember this. To speak to them openly and honestly about their baby, to use their child’s name and to recognise this loss. My job is not only to keep a mother medically well during this time, but to support her, her partner and family psychologically. To prepare them for what may come next.
I know all too well that a birth plan may change during labour and delivery, but no one can ever plan for the need to labour and give birth to a baby who is born sleeping. It is during these difficult conversations that being kind and guiding women through what to expect is so important. Being open about what their baby may look like, and that it is okay to hold them, to name them, and most importantly to love and remember them.
My role also extends to training junior colleagues. Nothing can fully prepare you for the first time you have to perform an ultrasound on a woman expecting to see a strong heart beat and kicks on a screen, when instead you are faced with a heart that is still and the knowledge that you need to say those awful words. I train other doctors how to perform these challenging scans and explain the importance of remaining calm and keeping a measured face whilst confirming the findings. One of the hardest things to learn is the need to leave no doubt when giving this news. This is not a topic that can be managed with idioms, it is vital that we are clear, that we give patients whatever time they need to begin to process this and, at all times, remain empathic and sensitive to the devastating news we are breaking.
I would like to mention these babies and acknowledge the life they had, the dreams that were dreamt for them and the hopes held by those who were waiting for their arrival. When they are born this should still be a beautiful moment. It is still the first time they will be held and it will always be cherished. Wherever possible I make sure that I give the family the time they need with their baby, and, when appropriate, I go to meet them and attend their memorial ceremonies if that is something the families would like. I encourage others not to be afraid of this as I feel that caring for these babies is a true privilege that we should never be unmoved or unaffected by.
Finally, I would like to thank the couple who nominated me. I cannot convey how humbled I am to be nominated for this award. The strength and courage it must have taken to do this whilst reliving such sadness is incredible. I can only hope that this profile has done justice to the kind words they wrote about me. I will never forget William or any of the other babies I have cared for who were taken too soon. These babies have the bravest parents I have ever met.
What Others Have Said
Georgie spent a lot of her shift checking in with us although I’m sure she was super busy. I know it was her job to keep me well but it was so much more, her kind words and support meant so much.
Working alongside Georgie allows me to see her incredible communication with the women and families in her care. She has a calm, kind presence and a natural ability to keep families well informed of their circumstances in every situation, happy or sad. This comes from a place of experience but mainly it comes from her genuine caring, compassionate nature which is so incredibly important in her line of work. It’s a pleasure to work with her.
What a fantastic and beautiful alongside a very humbling young lady, life has given us lots of highs and lows, but to experience the loss of a child there’s no one word. But to have someone like Georgie in you’re world, congratulations you deserve the nomination
Top young woman!!
We could never have got through the worst time in our lives without Georgie, she helped us feel safe when we were so scared, we will never be able to thank her enough, her gentleness with us and William will never be forgotten.
Very moving .
I’ve known Georgie since she was a child. She has become a remarkable woman and I am proud to know her. She has my vote!
Fantastic
I have never met this young lady, nor suffered what must be the unbearable heartbreak of such devastating tragedies. Reading her testimony however, it is clear to me what a remarkable, caring and compassionate person she is. The medical profession demands high academic achievements and dedication as its entry standard. But the one thing that cannot be taught in schools and universities, is compassion. Thank God for her and those like her.
Georgie looked after me when I unexpectedly went into early labour. She was amazing, calm and so supportive. Thankfully, our little girl made it through an emergency c section and now is a chunky 6 month old little girl. We will always remember every name of midwives, doctors and everyone involved. Especially Georgie. The care she gives deserves to be recognised.
I worked with Georgie whilst she was a Registrar at Musgrove Park Hospital, she is an amazing Dr not only is she good with the Women and their families but also with the people she works with, nothing is too much trouble and even there for a hug when it’s needed, she certainly has my vote.
Georgies gentleness towards us and William will never be forgotten
We have known Georgi as a family friend for many years and have watched her as she has progressed through her career. Georgi is dedicated and passionate and always ‘kind’, and we are proud of all her achievements. So very well done Georgi, you have our vote!
Committed, caring and professional.
I am a Midwife, I have worked with Georgie on many shifts on a busy Labour ward, not only was she a fantastic clinician, she brightened up every shift…. she deserves every inch of this nomination…. how lucky are any family who come across her…. even in their darkest moments. One love Georgie xxx
She’s a cracking doctor
Georgie, that was an inspiring and humbling read. I have so much respect for what you do and the manner in which you do it. Good luck!
i am Williams Grandad , having to deal with our sorrow and also having to deal with our anger takes a special person , Georgie was that person , She gave massive comfort to my daughter and family , her kindness was outstanding , and to come to the blessing must have taken great strength of character and added to the blessing , we can never repay you many many thanks and love to you xxx
Beautiful inside and out, Georgie has always cared for everyone around her. A truly genuine person and most definitely deserves this award!!! Well Done Georgie! X
For a brief time a colleague and forever a friend, it is completely unsurprising to me that Georgie has been nominated for this award. During her years as a house officer where I worked with her in A and E as a nurse, is was clear to me and all who worked with her that Obs and gynae was her passion. Over the past six years, though we only catch up intermittently, I’m struck by her compassion and sincerity when she recants her tales of joy and sorrow that she experiences on a day to day basis. I see how these experiences have broken her down, but also galvanised her and made her stronger. Continuing to do what she does so well through the hardest of times is what makes Georgie a truly outstanding doctor. I know becoming a military doctor was always your first passion, and that due to your bloody ankle you missed out on that opportunity, but they say every cloud has a silver lining and what a blessing to Mothers, babies and families of Bristol you are! Georgie, I’m bloody proud of you and all you do.
Georgie is quite simply one of the most compassionate people I have ever met. She consistently puts the needs of others above her own and honours the responsibility and privilege of her role.
Not only this, but as someone who knows her very well, I am certain that she feels for her patients incredibly deeply. It is rare to find a doctor who would invest on such an emotional level, and yet Georgie manages the impossible – leading with both her head and her heart.
She is an impeccable doctor and an inspiring person.
Ohhhhh Georgie! You are truly incredible doctor. And I feel so privileged to know you and to have worked along side you all those years in FPH.
I also need to thank you! Because without all that amazing care You give, I wouldn’t Have the two gorgeous children I do now. You encouraged me to follow my dream of becoming a mummy. Especially after so many losses. When We spoke a few months later I explained that I was pregnant, your excitement was just what I needed at that moment. Unfortunately I had a missed miscarriage at 12+5, and again your empathy & support was just incredible.
Not all heroes wear capes and that couldn’t be more true for you Georgie. You are one in a billion.
Beyond lucky to call you a friend.