Betsy’s story.

It was around 5.30pm on Friday 23^rd November when I went into labour, we stayed at home as long as we could and finally made our way to Hospital early on the Saturday morning. I can still remember our excitement and Dave joking me through my contractions.

We walked (with some painful pauses) to the delivery suite feeling nervous, but excited about what was about to come (Billy was delivered via C-section so this was new territory for us). The midwife settled us in the Delivery suite and strapped me up to the monitor. 

At first the midwife struggled to get a good read of baby’s heartbeat, I wasn’t too worried as she said this was quite common, but she called a senior midwife to come and help. The senior midwife (Carrie) also had trouble finding a heartbeat so they brought in another machine, all the time reassuring me that baby was just being awkward and not to worry. After a machine change and some swapping of wires they told me that they were going to get a consultant to come and scan me, at this point I should have realised that something was wrong but they were all so calm and my pre-Betsy brain would never allow me to imagine what was about to unfold. The consultant brought in a mobile scanner and was extremely thorough. I remember looking at Dave’s face as he watched the screen willing them to find our baby’s heartbeat, it was so full of worry and I kept telling him "it’s OK" - but he knew; we had been through enough scans to know when something wasn’t right. I remember the consultant saying “I’m sorry” and me stupidly thinking she was apologising for taking so long, it was only when Carrie held my hand with tears in her eyes and said “I’m so sorry” that it hit me - we had lost our baby.

Betsy was born at 3.07pm on Saturday 24^th November weighing 6lb 2oz, she was placed on my chest and Dave cut the cord. Our beautiful baby girl was so perfect, I looked in to her little face and waited for her to cry to prove that they were wrong, but she couldn’t.

Betsy would now be 3 moths old and we miss her everyday. We have since found out that both Billy arriving early at 33 weeks and Betsy being stillborn at 38 weeks were due to an issue with my Placenta. Tommy's fund the "Placenta clinic" in Manchester hospital (along with lots of other research labs) which would support us if we ever decided to try again. 

If the money we raise can prevent just one couple from going through this we will be eternally grateful. Tommy's are doing incredible research into the causes of premature babies and stillbirths and any money donated will help them to continue their vital work! 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Dave and Gem x