I was halfway to losing myself — and my baby

Carol Page, 67, a retired nurse and mother of three, lives with her husband John in Perthshire, Scotland. She says: It should have been the moment I held my daughter in my arms. Instead, after a gruelling labour that lasted over 24 hours, my baby was whisked away as the midwives treated me.

I could sense the panic around me as the medical team painfully pushed and pulled on my abdomen, blood seeping out.

then, suddenly, the pain lifted and I was fading, floating above my body.

though I could still hear the voices of the nurses, everything was quiet, gentle and a beautiful pinky white colour.

I wanted to stay in this pain-free and happy place, but then I heard the wail of my daughter and knew I had a responsibility to her and my two year- old son, Benjamin, waiting at home. Just as I made the choice to return, I heard a voice say ‘Christ, she’s back!’ and I slammed back into my body, where it was red, black and enveloped in pain.

I remained in hospital for five days and had numerous blood transfusions to replace the huge amounts I’d lost.

When I held Rachel in my arms after those scary few hours, I was so relieved and happy.

I was halfway to losing her — and myself — but thankfully, I managed to hold on.

Forty years later, we still talk about it.