MUM’S MIRACLE SURVIVAL: I WROTE A LETTER TO MY UNBORN CHILD
NINE weeks ago, Amy Mitchell sat with her partner Brett Andrew to write her will – and a letter to her unborn child.
Ms Mitchell was in a bed at John Flynn Private Hospital, 27 weeks pregnant and suffering life threatening complications.
But yesterday Ms Mitchell finally left the hospital’s care, proudly carrying baby Edwin James in her arms.
“The first week was ridiculously daunting, we had our lawyers on the phone redoing our wills for an unborn child, we wrote letters to our unborn child, it was pretty sad stuff,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I had lots of specialty doctors, obstetrics and haematology, balancing out our two lives and keeping us alive.”
The couple’s drama began when they flew to the Gold Coast from Melbourne, looking forward to enjoying a friend’s 40th birthday celebrations in Byron Bay before heading north for an eightday “babymoon” in Noosa.
But despite being at a stage of her pregnancy when flying is not considered a risk, Ms Mitchell suffered Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), with the blood clot running 30cm up her thigh.
“Everyone was freaked out,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It was weird, I didn’t feel sick, I just felt tight. But I couldn’t walk by the time I got in here (John Flynn Private Hospital). My leg was blue and swollen.”
The seriousness of Ms Mitchell’s condition made the couple’s ordeal an emotional as well as a medical rollercoaster. That’s when Ms Mitchell decided to write a letter to her unborn son, and prepare a will.
“Being told that they weren’t sure if you were going to make it through after two weeks … things were really serious,” she said.
After weeks of daily needles and blood thinners, Ms Mitchell had a C-section, and on August 8, Edwin James – aka Teddy – was born.
“We are so in love with him, he’s adorable,” Mr Andrew said.
“And the staff at John Flynn have been amazing. We’ve got 40 new aunties and uncles for this little guy.”
Ms Mitchell was also blown away by the level of support offered by hospital staff, saying they had become “family”.
“The hospital went above and beyond,” she said.
John Flynn Hospital CEO Greg Jenke said he was proud of the staff involved with Ms Mitchell’s care.
“It’s what we’re here for, it’s always gratifying to hear compliments about staff and the hospital,” he said.
“Everyone rallied around the family and I think it made the outcome that much more special, because it was a lifethreatening case you don’t like to see any patient in.”
Ms Mitchell and Mr Andrew are now looking forward to enjoying life as new parents back in Melbourne.