The day our lives changed forever... On 24th September 2014 we excitedly went for our 20 week scan, as far as we were concerned we would be finding out wether we were having a boy or girl. It felt like the sonographer was scanning us for an eternity – something was wrong, she kept going back to our baby’s heart and then she mentioned some abnormalities of her hands and foot. She wanted us to be re-scanned. We left the hospital, me still clutching the £3 in my hand for the scan picture – trying to absorb what had happened. We went home and explained to only three people what had happened. I was so scared of what the sonographer had seen on the scan. But, if I am completely honest, I will admit that I thought she was wrong. Why would our baby have something wrong?? As we were due to go on holiday the next day – the last time for just the two of us, we got a specialist appointment for 8 am the following morning. We woke up, put our suitcases in the car, and went to the Lister hospital. My mum followed us there and we sat and waited. The specialist sonographer took us into the room and started scanning. She mentioned two words – two words I’d never even heard of . . . EDWARD’S SYNDROME. “Your baby is really poorly” – she said – “if she survives outside the womb, your baby’s life will be grim.” Our baby had a club foot, small under developed stomach, a hole in her heart, her hands were bent in, and she had brain damage. Still on the table, with the gel on my stomach, I broke down, my dreams, my future- shattered. She cleaned me up and took us to a private room. Why us? What had I ever done to deserve having my baby taken from me? We spoke to a few midwives, who recommended an amniocentesis to take some fluid, and to send it for testing. After what seemed like an eternity, we were done, and sent home. Needless to say, we didn’t go away. I didn’t want a holiday. I just wanted my baby. The next few days were a complete blur – funeral arrangements . . . where were we going to bury our baby? What would she be dressed in? We should have been choosing her room colour, not her headstone. A week and a day later, our labour was induced. It was the most painful experience – Knowing I was pushing a dead child into the world, the helplessness – feeling that none of this had any purpose at all. Knowing that I would not be taking my baby home. Darcie was born sleeping at 21.03 on the 3rd of October 2014. She was perfect. She weighed a tiny 263g. We spent two precious nights with our princess. We shared cuddles and kisses – we bathed her, held her close. On our last day with her, my parents came to fetch us and to say goodbye to her. My dad, Darcie’s granddad took her outside to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her face. Leaving her behind with the midwives was so painful. Most new mums leave with their babies. But 1 in 4 don’t. I didn’t know this. The misinformation surrounding this needs to be changed. So this is where Darcie’s Wish began . . . Darcie’s Wish is that no other family will have to suffer. Many Edward’s babies miscarry early on in the pregnancy, or die within a few days. In some rare cases, they survive for a few weeks. After us being affected by this personally, our goal is to raise awareness into and funds for Edwards syndrome babies and their families. Our first objective is to become a UK registered charity. We have now raised enough funds to apply! This is down to all the wonderful people who have supported us throughout this experience. So thank you for helping us. Our next aim is to help others who have experienced the same and work closely with Lister hospital, who were amazing in such tragic circumstances.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 22:32:51 +0000
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