The last two years have been an emotional rollercoaster for Richard and I.

March 2013 brought us exciting news of a positive pregnancy test and the undeniable joy of upcoming parenthood. Sadly 10 weeks later I was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery with an ectopic pregnancy. We soldiered on through two years of hospital appointments, tests, referrals and waiting lists and early this year we embarked on our ivf journey. Although our first cycle was unsuccessful we kept a positive mind-set and hoped for good news second time round. In July we found out our second cycle worked and I was expecting a little bundle. Bad luck had it that 6 weeks later I ended up in surgery again with a second ectopic pregnancy. Without sounding too cliché I, indeed, am lucky to be alive.

We are slowly bouncing back from our grief and pain. Our journey to parenthood is not over yet. We are keeping a positive attitude and hope that the future is bright for us! 

For obvious reasons we have decided to raise funds for The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust to raise awareness of ectopic pregnancies - a common, life threatening condition that is the leading cause of death in early pregnancy affecting 1 in 80 pregnancies in the UK. The Trust believes that the deaths and trauma associated with ectopic pregnancy should be prevented or minimised and seeks to support women and their families through this difficult period of their lives.

We also wanted to raise funds for Birth Tay, the fundraising group supporting the Assisted Conception Unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where Richard and I have been receiving our treatment. The nurses and doctors have been incredible over the past 10 months and we wanted to show them our gratitude for all the help, advice and support they have provided us with. 

Our third choice is So Precious, a local volunteer run charity of which I am a Trustee. The charity is dedicated to providing support to Neonatal, Maternity and Paediatric Services within Forth Valley NHS. The staff at the maternity unit responded swiftly to my diagnosis and provided both Richard and I with excellent care throughout difficult times.

We would be delighted for any donations, however big or small. The funds raised will go to three important causes and ones very close to our hearts.

Lucie & Richard xx

If you would like to find more information about our chosen charities, clink on the relevant links below:

http://www.ectopic.org.uk/

http://www.acudundee.org/aims/

http://www.so-precious.btck.co.uk/

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.