***Hugo’s Story***

On Monday, 17 October 2016, Hugo fell critically ill; at only 5 weeks old. 

I am a Group B Strep carrier and I infected our son with this bacteria
during labour. I didn't know I was a carrier. Neither did the hospital. Why? In the UK we don't routinely test pregnant woman for this deadly bacteria, so it went undetected. 

On that dreadful Monday, by the time we got to hospital, Hugo's
skin was mottled and his extremities icy-cold to touch because his blood had pooled around his core to keep his vital organs working, and him alive. 

After a lumbar puncture, NG tube, numerous blood, urine and
stool tests and a chest x-ray, as well as having a solution pumped into him to encourage circulation to his extremities, Hugo was finally diagnosed with the life-threatening infection: Sepsis. Caused by Group B Strep. We were grateful the infection had not resulted in meningitis - thanks to our quick reaction to Hugo's unusual symptoms (a strange cry and loss of appetite). 

But we weren't out of danger. 

We went on to spend 5 days in hospital and a further 5 days at home where a nursery nurse administered IV antibiotics daily.
Because Hugo's veins were so small, the cannula kept failing and in total, Hugo had 6 cannulas in 10 days. Each failed cannula meant a further trip to hospital, which took on average 5 hours. 

As new parents, Sam and I were terrified coupled with being physically and emotionally drained. 

Thankfully, Hugo survived.

***St Albans Stampede***

On 2 September 2017 we will be taking part in The St Albans Stampede - a 12 hour running race where we hope to cover between 80-90 miles between us (well, Sam and Tom will be doing most - ultramarthon distance in fact! I plan to run between 4 to 8 miles as currently in the third trimester with our second) and we'd love to receive support from you.

We are raising funds for the Group B Strep Charity (www.gbss.org.uk), in the hope that one day sensitive Group B Strep bacteria testing becomes routine on the NHS - much like it is in so many other developed countries (USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Spain to name a few).

***Group B Strep***

Without preventative medicine, an estimated one in every 1,000
babies born in the UK develops a Group B Strep infection and
one baby a week dies, or survives with long-term disabilities – physical, mental or both.

***Sepsis in the News***

World Sepsis Day is 13 September, which uncannily was Hugo’s original due date.

In fact, at the moment, there is a big campaign to raise awareness around Sepsis:

http://www.world-sepsis-day.org/?MET=HOME&vLANGUAGE=EN

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39219765

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/3059756/this-mornings-dr-chris-opens-up-about-moment-he-almost-died-from-sepsis/

The reality is that more people die from Sepsis than heart-attacks.