Baby photos in support of Dorset County Hospital wards

Gemma Osmond's son Bradley was three weeks old when he had a severe respiratory problem. She said: "It doesn't bear thinking about how different things could have been if he'd been taken to a hospital further afield, wasting valuable time."

Parents have been sharing photos of their children in support of threatened child and maternity services.

Dorset's County Hospital is carrying out a review of services, including maternity and paediatrics.

It has prompted dozens of parents to post images of their children receiving care at the hospital in Dorchester.

Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group said it was considering how to reorganise health services for the future.

Photos shared on the group include children born prematurely and other poorly youngsters whose parents are opposed to any changes.

Among the areas under review are the special care baby unit (SCBU), Kingfisher children's ward and maternity services at the hospital.

Parents have been sharing the posts on the Save the SCBU, Kingfisher and Maternity at DCH Facebook page.

Katherine England says she has "so much to thank the SCBU ward for". Her daughter, Maisie, was born four weeks early weighing 4lb 3oz. She said: "All the staff are amazing, with their compassion and love they have for their job."

Clare Parfitt's second son, Hayden, was born in February at 34 weeks with a lung problem and had to be incubated. She said: "It was an extremely worrying time for us but the staff on maternity and SCBU were absolutely amazing."

Katie Portsmouth recently had her second premature baby. Her first daughter was born 11 years ago at 26 weeks and her son was born last month at 27 weeks. She said: "All the staff at SCBU are just amazing."

In October 2013, Kelly Jones's triplets were born at 31 weeks. She said: "The team in SCBU... had endless nurses on standby every day just in case I went into labour earlier than planned. If it wasn't there I would have had no choice but to have them in Southampton."

Ayiesha Carter's son, Jaxson, was born by emergency caesarean section at 27 weeks. She said: "Thanks to DCH maternity and SCBU he's still fighting and getting better. Thank god that we are in Dorchester and not had to travel."

Abby Miles's daughter, Ella, needed help straight after birth after both of them contracted an infection. She said: "Thankfully the staff here are amazing. I am so glad I am just across the hall from her so I can come in and out as I please."

Elle Bendall's first daughter, Grace, was born at 29 weeks, weighing just 1lb 10oz. She was also monitored closely while pregnant with her other daughters, Mia-Louise and Emma. She said: "There would have been a very different outcome - especially in Grace's case - if it wasn't for the quick thinking of the staff."

Emily Case says her two-year-old son, Archie, who has a chronic life-threatening lung condition, would not be here without the care he receives on Kingfisher children's ward. She said: "He relies on the expertise and knowledge of their wonderful staff. We owe them so much."