My son Ashton was born in April this year and if it wasnt for the care I was given by my team at the Princess Royal Maternity I wouldnt be here to tell this tale. I was diagnosed with a life threatening complication of pregnancy - placenta accreta (or abnormally invasive placenta) meaning that my placenta had protruded my uterus and put me at risk of catastrophic haemorrage and even death. The condition is so rare that in the 3yrs my team had been treating women with the condition i was only their 31st patient. They are the specialist centre for placenta invasion in the west of scotland and treat patients from far afield as well as local to the hospital. The unit would desperately like to provide better facilities for thise who require long term hospital care like myself and I would like to help them raise the funds needed to facilitate this.

During my pregnancy I spent 5 weeks in and out of the ward, being admitted multiple times for haemorrhages and eventually I was admitted permanently at 32 weeks gestation. My baby was delivered by planned c-section at 34 weeks as the risk to my life increased daily if we were to delay delivery any longer. I had to have a general anaesthetic and a hysterectomy at the time of birth, so I missed out on seeing my son being born. This was the best option to save me from bleeding out.

I spent a total of 9 weeks in hospital during this pregnancy and although I cannot fault the care I was given, I agree with my consultant that there needs to be better facilities to accomodate woman and their families.

So I am asking for your help in raising funds to provide two rooms that are equipped to have children and partners stay overnight. For me the hardest part of my journey was not being able to be a mum to the two kids i already had. I missed out on so many bedtimes so it would be amazing if I could help others to have their kids around them as much as possible. As well as this the money would go to providing tv’s, fridges, microwaves and other home comforts to make the stay more bearable.

Myself and my work colleagues are doing a sponsored hill climb on 24th april to raise funds and awarness of Placenta Accreta. Any donation you make is greatly appreciated and Im sure future patients of the Princess Royal Maternity will greatly benefit.

Thank You