Midwife (Nicola Sanderson)

The Midwife attended to Michelle Connor when she was taken to Weatherfield General in the twenty-third week of her pregnancy in January 2017 after suffering pains in her abdomen. Leanne Battersby accompanied Michelle as the father, Steve McDonald, was out. The calm midwife told the two women that they would carry out some checks, including blood pressure, and then conduct a scan to have a better idea what was going on. Steve turned up just after Michelle had been wheeled into the examination room and was with her when the scan produced a strong heartbeat from the baby boy. Michelle was told that she had lost some amniotic fluid, giving a risk of infection, so she would be kept in for forty-eight hours with antibiotics.

The next day, Michelle's waters broke and the labour could not be stopped, even though the child was underdeveloped. She and Steve were devastated to be told that it was the hospital's policy not to intervene if the baby couldn't breathe of his own accord. The midwife added to their anxiety and grief when she told them that due to Michelle's advanced state, she couldn't be moved away from the maternity ward with the sound of healthy, crying babies. She then assisted another midwife at the birth of a stillborn boy, who they named Ruairi.

Michelle was placed in a bereavement suite to recover from the birth and death. When Michelle was informed that no birth or death certificate would be issued, she took her temper out on the midwife, snapping at her when she was told how she understood what she was going through, only for her to reply that she herself has suffered a still birth in the past. Michelle was allowed time to be with the baby before he was taken to the chapel of rest by the midwife who gave her a leaflet offering information and support, something that gave her scant comfort. The midwife also allowed grandmother Liz McDonald a short time with the baby before he was taken away.

List of appearances
2017
 * Mon 9th Jan (1)
 * Wed 11th Jan
 * Fri 13th Jan (1)
 * Fri 13th Jan (2)