One of my
bridesmaids when I got married was Lizzy. We first met when we got thrown
together at university to live together in a bungalow. Our ‘bungy’ was a left
over from the soldier settlements from World War II. How we loved that manky place.
That was over 20 years ago. I can’t even believe that statement.
As you can
imagine a lot can happen in 20 years. Weddings, international travel, babies,
study, jobs, deaths, parties and celebrations.
This year Lizzy is celebrating the birth of her new little niece, the super gorgeous
Amelia Indigo. But Amelia’s birth did not go to plan. Her birth ended up being an
extremely traumatic event for her Mum, her Dad and especially for little
Amelia.
On Christmas Eve, the soon to be first time parents Roger and Natalie were
booked in for a c section, while both Mum and bub were doing really well, Natalie
had been diagnosed with having a low lying placenta. They exchanged Christmas
presents early, so excited to be meeting and sharing Christmas with their new
baby the next day.
When they arrived at the hospital they were told there would be a delay
and during this time they had another scan to see how the baby was. The scan showed that Natalie’s placenta had
moved and the hospital indicated that a Caesarean section was no longer required.
Natalie went into labour on 7 January and after a very active labour, she was nearly fully dilated when all of a sudden she lost consciousness and suffered a placental abruption. This caused Natalie to immediately start losing a significant amount of blood. With Amelia still to be born, extensive medical intervention was required to save both Natalie and Amelia.
Natalie went into labour on 7 January and after a very active labour, she was nearly fully dilated when all of a sudden she lost consciousness and suffered a placental abruption. This caused Natalie to immediately start losing a significant amount of blood. With Amelia still to be born, extensive medical intervention was required to save both Natalie and Amelia.
.JPG "Amelia Sefton")
Roger was now alternating visits between the Adult ICU to see his wife and Neonatal ICU to see Amelia. As he walked the hospital corridors, doctors discussed with him that he might not end up taking either Natalie or Amelia home with him.
For her first 72 hours Amelia was treated with a body cooling blanket
designed to slow the swelling of her brain, swelling that was caused by the events of her birth, and limit any further damage to her
little body.
.JPG "Amelia Sefton")
Amelia didn't get to meet her Mummy until she
was a week old. She was not cuddled until she was 17 days old. She has now been
diagnosed with Grade 3 HIE (Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy) – with damage to
her brain.
On the 13th February 2014 Roger was able to take both his girls home in what was an emotional homecoming for the three of them.
It’s a tough road ahead for them. Amelia is now going to need years of ongoing specialised therapy to help her.
Early invention is vital and the age of 0
to 2 years is the primary window to undertake intensive therapy, this is when
the brain grows the most.
The most effective therapies are not all available as standard treatment so they are very expensive. The therapies also take up lots of time and commitment which means time off work for Roger and Natalie.
The most effective therapies are not all available as standard treatment so they are very expensive. The therapies also take up lots of time and commitment which means time off work for Roger and Natalie.
With Roger, Natalie and Amelia currently in
London, Lizzy and her family, and close friends of Roger and Natalie are feeling so far away, often with that sense of
feeling hopeless, unable to provide much help for Amelia’s long list of growing
needs.
.JPG "Amelia Sefton family")
So they are doing the best they can to
assist with raising money to help ensure Amelia gets access to the treatments
and therapies that will ensure she will reach her full potential.
Along with a local Trivia night and
collecting donations for raffles, Amelia has a fundraising page.
.JPG)
Lizzy says “We will be eternally grateful
if you could donate $5, $10 whatever amount you can spare to help provide the
life changing therapies and treatment needed by Amelia.”
“We would also welcome positive thoughts
and prayers for the future journey that lies ahead. And with that, we all thank
you, from the bottom of our hearts for reading Amelia’s story and to anyone who
can donate or help raise money for our little star – Amelia Indigo”
Please support Amelia by donating to my online Fundraising Page.
Donations are immediately receipted but are
not tax deductible
.JPG "Amelia Sefton")
OMG Claire, what an awful thing to happen to anyone! I feel so much for your friend being so far away and feeling helpless. I also feel for her sister and her little family. I will be going to donate now, every little bit will help I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI read this story and it felt a little too close to home. I had placenta problems which saw me lie in a bed for 6 weeks before my first baby arrived 4 weeks early. I had a c-section because of it. With baby number 2 and 3 I opted to have a c-section because, first time round I was told it had corrected itself when in fact it hadn't really, and my gut told me this was the safest option. Even with number 3 when they asked me if there was anything they needed to know I said, watch out for my placenta. Baby no. 3 ended up in special care with low red blood cells and required a blood transfusion, no one will pin point it but there was idle talk that they might have hit the placenta on entry. To think what could of happen is bloody frightening. I'm so glad despite the challenges that lay ahead for your dear friends that they are both alive with a future ahead of them.
ReplyDeleteHeartfelt sorrow that things went so poorly. Thank god they both made it and blessings for a future that's brighter than such a dramatic entry.
ReplyDeleteNAwww Amelia was born on my birthday ... really wish your family all the best with their little girl.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, so blessed that they are both alive and safe. I hope little Amelia gets all the help she needs to have a bright and successful life. xo
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what an awful thing to have happened. And yet what a blessing that they were both able to come home and will now be able to share lots of amazing experiences with their little family (albeit with many challenges). xxxx
ReplyDelete