One lucky drama
My emergency op was a blessing in disguise
Me and my partner Anthony, 33, had everything sorted. I was eight months pregnant and it was full steam ahead.
I’d even planned for a water birth at home.
At 36 weeks and four days, last May, I had a routine midwife appointment.
While there, I started getting Braxton Hicks pains – when the uterine muscles flex in preparation for labour.
The midwife felt my tummy.
‘‘You’re having contractions!’ she told me
‘But it’s weeks before my due date,’ I gulped.
Suddenly, I had pains at the bottom of my ribs. I was in agony and also being sick.
Rushed to Lancashire Women and Newborn Centre, by now the pains were intense. Doctors ran blood tests. I just felt worse and worse. Tests revealed my liver and kidneys were failing. I had protein in my urine and my blood platelet count was low.
My blood pressure was through the roof. Plus my baby’s heart rate was high and tests showed he’d not grown in a couple of weeks.
Eventually I was told I had severe pre-eclampsia.
‘You’ve also got HELLP syndrome,’ a doctor added.
I was told it’s a rare, lifethreatening liver and bloodclotting disorder that can affect pregnant women.
The only way to treat it was to deliver my baby.
As soon as my blood pressure was under control, I was taken for an emergency Caesarean.
When Bradley arrived, a small 5lb 3oz, he whimpered.
He had a huge knot in his umbilical cord – not linked to my HELLP syndrome.
But it did explain Bradley’s stunted growth.
‘If you hadn’t had a Caesarean, Bradley may not have made it to his due date,’ a doctor explained to us.
The emergency surgery had been a blessing in disguise. And after the op, I began feeling better straightaway.
My blood levels returned to normal, but I was monitored closely for the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, poor Bradley had to be rushed to NICU.
He was diagnosed with respiratory distress, sepsis, low blood sugars, low body temperature and jaundice.
He was put in an incubator and given antibiotics.
‘I just want to see him!’ I sobbed to Anthony.
Both on different wards, I just longed for a cuddle.
Anthony divided his time between us and showed me pics of our boy on his phone.
The following day, I got to have my first cuddle. ‘You’re perfect,’ I told my baby. He made speedy progress – and, after five days, was allowed to come home with me.
We were on tenterhooks. So worried that little Bradley would fall ill again.
But our little fighter went from strength to strength.
Doctors don’t know what caused my HELLP syndrome – it’s just one of those things.
In May this year, I found out I was pregnant again.
There’s a chance that I may be affected by HELLP again so doctors are monitoring me closely.
I’m doing my very best to stay positive, though.
I’ve started fundraising for Bliss, the charity that supports premature and sick babies and their families.
What I went through as a first-time mum was really terrifying.
But I want other parents to know they’re not alone.
I still can’t believe that I developed a condition that could’ve killed me.
And if it wasn’t for me having an emergency Caesarean, Bradley’s life would’ve been at risk.
I have to keep pinching myself to remind me just how lucky we are.
What I went through, as a first-time mum, was terrifying
For more information, go to: bliss.org.uk