As many of you will know, in June 2018, at our 20 week scan, we were given the devastating news that there was something seriously wrong with our baby. 

The diagnosis came back as CDH (a hole in the diaphragm) which meant our baby’s intestines were pushing up through this hole, displacing his heart and squashing his lungs, which stopped them from developing properly. A terrifying 18 weeks followed with the worry our little baby wouldn’t even survive the birth, never mind beyond that. We had many scans, checks and observations at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Fetal Medicine Unit performed by the amazing Professor Alfirevic and his team.

On the 30th October, our gorgeous boy, Finley, was born. He had a very difficult start in life. He was ventilated as soon as he was born and then transferred to Alder Hey hospital where he had major surgery at 3 days old. He spent 2 weeks in intensive care. Although we had been warned that if he did survive it was going to be a very rocky road, we had no idea just how frightening some of the following days would be. Finley was very poorly indeed after the operation and some days were very bleak. We struggled to remain positive. When he was 12 days old, we held him for the first time and although the following days weren’t without setbacks, he made steady progress from then on. Finally, we brought our baby boy home on 21st November. The team there were awe inspiring and our family will be forever grateful to them. 

However, it was the ongoing support we received from the wonderful staff at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Fetal Medicine Unit which gave us the strength to get through this horrific experience. Their dedication and kindness helped us cope with the ordeal, from the 20 week scan to the moment little Finley left their care, 2 days after birth, to go to Alder Hey. It is with this in mind that we have decided that we want to raise much needed funds for the Fetal Medicine Unit at Liverpool Women’s. We would love you to join us in celebrating Finley’s safe arrival. Any contribution to our fund raising would be very much appreciated by us all.

Love 

Adam and Laura 

The aims of the Fetal Medicine Fund are for the investigation into the causes of sickness in the unborn child, and the prevention, treatment cure and defeat of the sickness. All donations are greatly appreciated and used solely to benefit the patients.