Evelyn Bluebell born at 30weeks +4 days

Having given birth to my eldest daughter the day after her due date, I was shocked to find myself ending up as a PPROM mum with my second daughter. I have an underactive thyroid which wasn't really under control until I was 13 weeks pregnant, so I was being closely monitored throughout this pregnancy.



I work as a Primary School Teacher, so it came of no surprise to me that I contracted a stomach bug at over 27 weeks pregnant. The bug lasted for 5 days with constant sickness and diarrhoea. I was drained. Just as I started to feel better and regain my energy, I woke up and felt a trickle down my leg (28 weeks + 3 days at this point). I lay still and was in denial for a while. I saw my partner off to the gym and took my eldest daughter down for her breakfast. By this point, I had put a pad on just to 'check'. Every time I moved, I felt waters gush. I knew they'd gone. I rang my partner and he returned to find me wrapped in numerous bath towels! Off we went to the hospital...


My pad was tested and it was confirmed that my waters had gone. I was told that she'd be delivered within 24 hours. My obs were all good - the consultant agreed to try and keep me going until 34 weeks but I needed to stay free from infection. I was to have an ultrasound once a week, bloods twice a week and obs every day. After a couple of nights in the hospital, it was agreed that I could do my obs at home and travel in for scans, bloods etc. I was missing my daughter terribly. I lasted a couple of days at home, returning for our ultrasound. This showed that I had no measureable fluid left. We were gutted. I was then reAdmitted.

During my previous stay, I was given all of my steroid jabs to strengthen baby's lungs. During this stay, I was on oral antibiotics but my infection levels were increasing, so I was to have IV antibiotics. This was to be administered every eight hours. 3 days later I could feel a water infection coming on...there was no time to confirm it. I had become symptomatic and had started having rigours on the bed. This kick stArted contractions so I was rushed to labour ward. I was 30 weeks and 4 days pregnant.



I was having a contraction, followed by a rigour. It was unbearable. They took blood and confirmed that I had sepsis. This obviously meant that baby was at risk. I opted for an emergency c section under general anaesthetic as I was in so much pain. I was told that I was risking my life.



Evelyn Bluebell was born at 8.17pm on 10th Aug 2015 weighing 3lb 1.4oz. I woke up under intensive care and was told that she was ok and was on scbu. A few hours later, I got to meet her. She was so tiny and so perfect.



I was desperate to touch/hold her. She had been on cpap for 7 minutes and then started breathing herself. My 30 weeker was breathing unaided. Amazing! She was being pumped full of anaesthetic for suspected sepsis. Evelyn was in ITU for 3 days, HDU for 3.5 weeks and the Nursery for 3 weeks. The SCBU staff became my family - they were amazing. Trying to balance life between the two girls was difficult but we managed. We had lots of support from family.



Evelyn spent 7 weeks on SCBU and came home on overnight O2. I was able to wean her off this within 10 days of coming home. She has contracted bronchitis twice and has had a bug but is getting bigger and stronger all of the time!



These premature babies are tougher than they look. 7 weeks seemed like a lifetime but I got through it by working towards her due date. She is now a happy, smiley little pudding who is just beginning to enjoy some food!