"Peripartum Cardiomyopathy"

I was pregnant in 2019 and extremely breathless. I felt like I was dying just walking into the next room, I was really unwell. I thought it was my asthma.

One day I couldn't feel my baby move so I went into maternity at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. A lovely midwife there noticed something not quite right with my pulse so I was sent for an echocardiogram where it was discovered I had a rare type of heart failure called Peripartum Cardiomyopathy. I was immediately admitted into Coronary Care.

I had to have my baby early and I haemorrhaged during the birth due to retained placenta. All the midwives were so supportive and the whole team made sure my birth experience was as normal as possible. I spent a few days in High Dependency and the staff there were great. They helped me to get my baby to latch on, nothing was too much trouble.

I was then sent back to the Coronary Care Unit whilst my baby went to neonatal for light treatment for jaundice. Once my baby had his treatment, the staff in the CCU could see how upset I was not having my baby with me and they arranged a cot and daybed and even a pumping matching so myself, husband and our baby could stay together in my room.

The support I had from the nurses was incredible. The care I received from Dr Walker and her team was second to none, they saved mine and my baby's life, and I'm forever grateful to them :)