When the question was asked about having kids, Nicky Granger was always told no.

Due to her epilepsy she was advised not to have children as it may put too much pressure on her health. However because of the care she received at University Hospital in Coventry, she is now the proud mother of baby James.

Nicky, 35, from Rugby, said: “I have epilepsy and we had different information given to us about whether or not we should have kids.”

Dental Nurse, Nicky and her engineer husband Nathan, 38, decided they were going to try for a child anyway.

Nicky said: “We decided to give it a go and let nature take its course. We saw Mr Allrogen, Consultant Neurologist when I was already pregnant. He was really supportive and understanding and put us in touch with Epilepsy Specialist Nurse Paula Taylor, Antenatal Consultant Sadia Malik and Research Midwife Debbie Bullen who were all fabulous and perfect with us.”

From there Nicky was put on the EMPiRE research programme to help manage her antiepileptic drugs during her pregnancy.

She said: “In our first appointment, Debbie took a lot of time explaining the research and Ms Malik explained what sort of care she would give us. Everyone gave us their contact details in case of a problem, like if I had a fit.

“I believe the care would have been fantastic anyway but being part of a research programme also provided a different kind of support during my pregnancy!

“Both myself and my husband are very pleased we were offered the opportunity to take part in the EMPiRE programme with the research midwives and relevant team.”

On her scan at 36 weeks, the decision was taken to deliver James by caesarean section at 37 weeks.

Nicky said: “The staff arranged all the anaesthetist explanations and pre-surgery talks to be done that day so that I wouldn’t be stressed. Sadia Malik wasn’t meant to be working the day of my operation but came in to deliver my son which was an amazing personal touch and was so nice.”

Nicky now feels fantastic and baby James is doing well.