On Sunday 22nd April 2012, five weeks before my due date, I went to see a GP at York Hospital because I felt a bit unwell. Less than three and a half hours later Annabel was born.

I had a severe form of HELLP syndrome  a life-threatening pregnancy complication (http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/hellp-syndrome). My flu like sympotoms and rib pain were my kidneys and liver failing, my blood pressure was so high the Drs didn't believe they'd taken the reading right. It went from me being told I'd be put on bed rest, to saying I'd be induced that week, to being induced that day, to having a c-section that day.

Suddenly there were even more people there; Annabel's heart had stopped and she was no longer moving. In under five minutes they had rushed me to theatre and got her out, screaming and objecting to the rude awakening.

I did not get to meet her for 24 hours as I was too ill to be moved. For five days I had intensive round the clock 1-1 Midwife and Healthcare Assistant care, then after nine days I was allowed home and Anabel followed six days later.

At my follow up appointment we found out that my placenta had already abrupted before the section, and I was so far into HELLP syndrome that they were surprised we were had made it to the Sunday morning. The fact that we both came out of it alive is amazing, and I thank the staff at York Labour Ward and Special Care Baby Unit for saving us and supporting us into a happy healthy family.

As many of you are probably aware, I avoided all unnecessary excercise in school and only took up excercise to fit into my wedding dress. Running the marathon will be a massive achievement for me and I never thought I would be able to do something like this. Please be as generous as you can, it really is appreciated.

Love Emma, Tom, Oscar and Annabel