At our 20 week scan, we were given the unfortunate news that our baby wasn’t growing properly and was measuring 4 weeks behind - we were at high risk for still birth. The amazing Dr Puretti and specialist pre term midwives Karen and Marissa conducted several investigations to figure out the cause and monitored our baby very closely. The investigations concluded that our baby had severe fetal growth restriction caused by placental failure at 23 weeks and my blood test for preeclampsia came back significantly raised. Also, I had absent end-diastolic flow in my umbilical cord which was causing our baby to not receive adequate oxygen/nutrients.

As a result of these findings, it was decided that my care would be transferred to St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester as we required specialist care from their MAVIS clinic to keep myself and my baby alive and safe. Dr Puretti would not take no for an answer from St Mary’s and we truly believe she saved our baby - no words will ever be able to thank her enough.

At St Mary’s, I was scanned every other day to monitor the flow in my umbilical cord and to ensure our baby was still alive and still growing. We were told our baby could be delivered at any of the scans; if she was to be in distress or if I was to become poorly - we kept our hospital bag in the car from 23 weeks!!

After being told it would be a miracle if I was still pregnant at 27 weeks and Lilah was born alive, our strong baby girl defied all odds and was born at 32 weeks plus 2 days via emergency c-section. She came out crying and needed minimal breathing support for the first 24 hours of life. She weighed a tiny 2lbs 13oz at birth and spent 4.5 weeks in NICU between St Mary’s and Stepping Hill Hospital.

The care at Stepping Hill NICU was exceptional, we felt like we were apart of our own little NICU family. The nurses on NICU are real life angels, nurses who are unfortunately under appreciated and overworked. They made a very scary and dark time feel a little bit brighter. They were always there as a shoulder to cry on, offered reassurance and breastfeeding support which helped me get Lilah big and strong for discharge home. The nurses also allowed us to make lifelong memories with our baby despite her being so small and poorly, for example giving Lilah her first bath!

We will never be able to repay the maternity department and NICU at Stepping Hill or the MAVIS clinic at St Mary’s hospital for saving our baby, but we would like to try! Therefore, Joe (Lilah’s daddy) will be completing a 15,000 ft sky dive to raise money for the incubator appeal at SHH NICU! Please help us support their appeal and save many more babies like our precious Lilah!

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