Tommy from Edinburgh

When I became pregnant in 2018, I was completely surprised but absolutely delighted. I’d spent so long worrying I wouldn’t even be able to get pregnant; I couldn’t quite believe it. I told my midwife about my cervix during my booking in appointment and she told me not to worry as it was such early days.

At 14 weeks pregnant, I started to bleed heavily. It was absolutely terrifying. I had no idea what to do as I was alone at home. I decided to call for an ambulance but, as I headed down the stairs, I fell. I’d lost so much blood I was lightheaded. I remember the operator on the phone casually asking if I’d "passed a fetus" yet. This thought hadn’t crossed my mind and I became totally hysterical. I still suffer with PTSD from this experience - I was certain I’d lost my baby and I cannot describe how awful this felt.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was scanned and saw my baby, alive and wriggling around. I was so relieved but anxious things would go wrong again. I had another bleed the following week, but it looked like my baby was holding up okay. My mental health was becoming increasingly fragile and I started to have panic attacks. It was such a difficult time.

I was referred to Tommy’s Lothian Preterm Birth Clinic after my first bleed. At the first appointment, I met with Dr Sarah Stock and Morag Dalton, a Tommy’s research midwife.

The staff at the clinic were beyond amazing. They explained things to me in a way that kept me calm. Dr Stock gave me the information I needed and made sure I was referred to the correct medical professionals. She took her time with me and, for the first time in my pregnancy, I felt like I was getting the support I needed.

I started attending weekly scans at the clinic. I felt reassured, and I knew I was in safe hands.

At 21 weeks, a scan showed that Charley was at high risk of going into premature labour. She was offered a stich by the Tommy’s team to keep her tiny baby safe.

“As I am a single mum, I didn’t have anyone to come with me on the day of the procedure. Morag kindly offered to come with me to hold my hand. I was so frightened that my baby wouldn’t make it – having a midwife at my side helped me to cope with the fear.”

Throughout the rest of her pregnancy she visited the Tommy’s clinic for regular check-ups and reassurance scans. Baby Tommy was born in May 2019!

“I’ll never forget the surgeon saying the words “Happy Birthday”. It was a magical moment. Holding my son in my arms felt like a miracle; my own wonderful miracle.

I named him Tommy because, quite frankly, he wouldn’t be here without Tommy’s. I know I’m one of the lucky ones and I’m so grateful to the team at the Tommy’s research centre in Edinburgh.”