Welcoming Baby Willow: Our Journey with M&S's Enhanced Parental Policies

Visual Deputy Store Manager, Helen Fitch and Fire, Health & Safety Support Manager, Sam Fitch share their personal journey of welcoming baby Willow and how these policies have made a significant difference to their family during this crucial time.

Our Story

Helen: Willow's arrival is nothing short of a miracle for us. After struggling to conceive, we turned to IVF, which came with its own set of challenges. We went privately for our IVF treatment which meant that we faced significant financial pressure and had two failed attempts before we finally got a positive test.

Sam: Two days after our latest embryo transfer, Helen's mum passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Dealing with grief and stress during this crucial time was incredibly hard. When we got a positive test, it was a bittersweet moment – we had cautious optimism for our future, mixed with the sorrow of our recent loss.

Helen: Everything seemed fine during the early months of the pregnancy until a scan revealed that Willow's growth was slightly under where it should be. I had elevated blood pressure, a symptom of pre-eclampsia, which led to me spending three weeks in the hospital for monitoring.

Sam: On March 9th, five weeks before our due date, doctors informed us that we needed to deliver the baby to protect both Helen and Willow. We opted for a planned c-section, but due to complications with the anaesthetic, Helen had to undergo a general anaesthetic, and I wasn’t allowed on the ward. Over an hour later, on Mother’s Day, Willow Maggie Jayne Fitch was born, weighing just 4lb3.

How the M&S Policies Helped Us

Helen: Without the enhanced parental policies, our experience would have been drastically different. We spent the first ten days in the hospital as Willow was premature and required extra care and we were supported through this time through the neo-natal policy.

Sam: If I’d only had the two weeks off as paternity leave, I would have had to return to work just three days after we returned home with Willow which would have been nearly impossible while Helen recovered from surgery.

“The extended leave allowed me to be there for Helen and Willow during those critical early weeks. It meant I could support Helen's recovery and bond with Willow without having to think about work.”

Balancing Work and Family Life

Helen: M&S has been incredibly supportive throughout our IVF journey and pregnancy. Our line managers and colleagues have been nothing but supportive, understanding, and flexible. They also supported us through the loss of my Mum and the multiple hospital visits.

"My line managers were always nothing other than supportive in being flexible and compassionate with the ins and outs of what it takes to go through IVF."

Sam: The new paternity policy allowed me to take eight weeks off when it was combined with my annual leave and the neo-natal leave allowance. Even though it was longer than I or my line manager were expecting for me to take away from work, it was absolutely needed after such an emotional journey. It was the best time of my life. I got to watch Willow grow, spend every day with her and Helen, and take on a big role in her early care. This time was crucial for Helen’s recovery as well.

Helen: The enhanced maternity policy has been a game-changer for us. Financially, it has provided peace of mind, and the additional neo-natal support has allowed us to navigate the challenges of caring for a premature baby more smoothly.

Creating a Family-Friendly Workplace

Sam: M&S’s policies reflect an understanding of the crucial role both parents play in a newborn's life. By recognising the father's role and providing extended leave, M&S is fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

"The change really demonstrates that the business understands that the father has a huge role to play in the first few weeks of baby’s life."

Helen: Throughout our journey, the supportiveness of the business was clear. The benefits are great, but at no point were we made to feel like work came first. Family is first. My line managers, Naomi and Emily, were unbelievably supportive during this time. Opening the new Birmingham Bullring store was a big deal for the business and for me as a milestone in my career. It was all happening in parallel to my IVF and pregnancy journey and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my team.

Why M&S is a Great Place to Work

We are both incredibly grateful and proud to work for M&S. The support we've received has made a significant difference in our lives at a time when we needed it the most. We’ve formed lasting and deepened our friendships with colleagues who have been there for us every step of the way. This experience has shown us that M&S truly cares about its colleagues and their families.

"Ultimately we would never be able to have that time again. As a new family unit, it’s given Willow and ourselves the chance to bond and make memories."

Our journey with Willow has been filled with challenges and joy, and M&S's enhanced parental policies have been instrumental in making this transition smoother and more manageable. We wanted to share our story to highlight how these new policies have helped our family and, without them, Willow’s start would have been very different.

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