When Donna Ockenden publishes her long-awaited review into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust on Thursday (June 24), Jenny and her husband Jonathan Oakden will be among the families waiting to see whether years of campaigning can help prevent others experiencing what happened to them.
The review follows the examination of around 2,500 cases involving concerns including infant deaths, injuries, neglect and safeguarding issues between January 2012 and May 2025.
It comes amid an ongoing investigation by Nottinghamshire Police – Operation Perth – into maternity services at the Trust.
For Jenny, 51, a lecturer in criminology at Loughborough University, the publication marks another milestone in a journey that began 16 years ago when complications during the birth of her son Daniel left her fighting for her life.
Following the birth, Jenny suffered catastrophic bleeding and lost 16 pints of blood. She underwent four hours of emergency surgery while fully awake under an epidural which wore off 15 minutes before the surgery finished.
Meaning the surgery was conscious and anesthetized. Jenny says her husband, Jonathan, 50, was left holding their newborn son with little information about her condition and fearing she might not survive. The effect on him was just as severe.
After being admitted to ITU, she required a further emergency operation and was warned that she might not survive.
"Before the second surgery I was told that I should say goodbye to my husband because I only had a one-in-three chance of making it," she said. “I had not held my baby or even had the chance to name him’
The physical consequences were severe and Jenny was left permanently disabled. The psychological impact on her and Jonathan has lasted just as long.
"I went from life support to home in five days," she said.
In the months and years that followed, Jenny developed post-traumatic stress disorder and experienced significant memory loss.
The condition ultimately forced her to leave her role as a senior lecturer in criminology.
"I remember standing in front of 180 first-year students and I realised I didn't know the answers to any of the questions they were asking," she said.
"I'd lost significant parts of my academic memory, and I knew I wouldn't be able to carry on teaching."
Jenny says the trauma of the experience led to years of flashbacks and periods when she felt suicidal. She felt she missed out on so much precious time with her two young children.
Rather than stepping away from the issue, she chose to campaign for improvements in maternity care.
For the past four years she has been involved in the Ockenden Review, sharing her experiences and helping inform discussions around patient safety and maternity services.
During that time, she has met with senior policymakers, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting, to discuss changes to maternity care policy.
She has also contributed to the forthcoming Amos Enquiry and helped develop information materials produced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council that are available in NHS hospitals to help families understand how to raise concerns about maternity care.
Jenny hopes the publication of the Ockenden Review will lead to meaningful changes across the NHS.
"My goal has always been to improve patient safety," she said. "Women need to be heard when they raise concerns about their care, and fathers need better support too.
“But the main thing I want is a full public enquiry.
“This scale statistically is bigger than the Post Office, thalidomide and the infected blood scandals.
“My social policy background shows me this is generational harm on a massive scale "
She added: "Nothing can change what happened to me, but if sharing my story helps prevent another family going through the same experience, then it is worth it."
The publication of the Ockenden Review is expected to shine a spotlight on maternity safety and accountability across England, with campaigners and families hoping its findings will drive lasting improvements for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
This press release is based on Jenny Ardley's personal experiences and views. Any opinions, allegations or calls for policy change expressed are her own and should not be taken as representing the views of Loughborough University.
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