On an autumn morning in 2008, two months before my due date, I was told the twins I was expecting needed to be delivered urgently. I had known for three months that they were going to be born prematurely, as one was growing at an alarmingly slow rate, but the doctors had been trying to buy us as much time as possible to give both children a fighting chance. Now, at 31 weeks and two days, that time was up.
The doctors had discovered a reverse blood flow through the umbilical cord of one of the babies, indicating a serious condition where the placenta was no longer supporting the baby sufficiently and which, left untreated, can lead to foetal death. The twins were coming and I felt terrified - and things were about to get worse. The neonatal intensive care ward at our local hospital, the Queen Elizabeth in Greenwich, south London, was full, which meant we were in a race against time to find another place for us all.
Early days
I was 36 when I conceived and from its very earliest days my pregnancy was difficult. On a work trip in Holland shortly after I found out I was pregnant I began bleeding. At an appointment at the early pregnancy unit at St Thomas' Hospital in central London, my partner Matt and I were relieved to discover I hadn't miscarried and learnt that we were expecting twins. Still, from that moment on I couldn't shake the feeling that something would go wrong.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 01, 2024-Ausgabe von WOMAN - UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 01, 2024-Ausgabe von WOMAN - UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
What the NHS will really do about bunions
Dusting off your trusted sandals? Some of you might be experiencing a foot problem that nail varnish won’t be able to hide this summer…
View from THE BACK
Isabel Webster says what youre thinking
Weekend FEASTS
Easy dishes for relaxed entertaining this bank holiday
I only send one of my kids to PRIVATE SCHOOL
Jane* worries that her son will resent her for sending his sister to a posh prep and not him
Bare all and...RELAX
Experiencing a German spa where you're expected to go nude isn't so bad, says Catherine Lawler
Men never want to LEAVE ME
Samantha Brick believes knowing what men want is the reason she’s never been dumped
Want the PERFECT SMILE?
Dontworry, we've done the hard work for you these affordable teeth treatments and easy tricks are worth trying
Are you being WATCHED?
After Fern Britton revealed her two-year stalking hell, Woman investigates the true impact such a crime can have on victims
The ROYAL INSIDER
CHARLES BACK WITH A BANG BUT MILES APART FROM HARRY
What's next FOR PHIL?
One year on from his ITV departure, Woman takes a look at Phillip Schofield's career demise, and his hopes for a comeback