Leo is my first born, he was born prematurely at 29 weeks, I had suffered with severe pre-eclampsia. I had a relatively smooth start of pregnancy with Leo up until 15 weeks when I begun feeling unwell, my hands were also very swollen, I couldn’t wear any rings, I also started getting headaches that wouldn’t go away despite taking paracetamol, I decided to take myself to see my gp as my maternity assessment unit at the hospital won’t see anyone before 20 weeks, I explained my symptoms to my gp, he assured me that my symptoms were normal during pregnancy and that I should take it easy. I still didn’t feel right, I had an appointment at 16 weeks with my midwife, she tested my urine and I had protein in it, she said it looked like I had a urine infection and that she send my urine off for testing. Finally, the day came for my 20 week scan! “It’s a boy!” The sonographer said, me and my partner were overjoyed, we picked the name Leo that very same day. A few days later I had my first appointment with my consultant at the hospital, I explained what symptoms I had been experiencing and he told me it’s all normal, I’d got to 25 weeks and I still didn’t feel right, I took myself to the maternity assessment unit and finally found a doctor who listened to my concerns, they ran some tests and sent me home, a week later I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and was immediately admitted into hospital. I stayed in hospital for 4 weeks. By 29 weeks my pre-eclampsia was worsening and Leo wasn’t growing, they decided to deliver.
I had an emergency c section under general anaesthetic. Leo weighed a tiny 1lb 11oz, he was taken straight to nicu. Nicu was overwhelming at first but after a few days I got used to it all. We had 17 very beautiful days with Leo. Sadly Leo became really unwell and was put on life support, Leo was just too weak to fight anymore and I hated seeing him in so much pain. As much as it broke my heart I decided to withdraw Leo’s care and let him go. We spent some time as a family making memories, the time came for the doctor to take Leo’s breathing tube out, my world shattered at that very moment. I spent Leo’s last moments telling him how much I loved him and how I wished he could’ve stayed.
I will forever be thankful to the nicu staff for giving us 17 beautiful days with Leo.
Leo George Anthony Roberts 23.02.19-11.03.19 ❤️
Just another manic mumday 