In her own words:

It was such a difficult pregnancy, with hyperemesis gravidarium tormenting me morning, noon and night.

Throughout pregnancy I also suffered with UTI’s and general bloated feeling from second trimester. One of my final UTI’s I suffered visual disturbances believing this was a symptom of the anti-biotics I was taking and after calling 111. I had a fever sometime in second trimester believing this was something pregnant women got from time-to-time and reading up on it online.

On Wednesday 17th December 2025 I was admitted to MAU after showing protein in my urine a couple of days before, and locally the mid-wife tracked raised blood pressure.

At the hospital, the doctors confirmed an onset of pre-eclampsia based on high blood pressure, and elevated levels of creatinine in my blood. I was immediately put on BP meds and advised to stay in overnight ‘to be monitored’. I raised a symptom of shaking legs, so they changed my BP meds. I recorded every BP result, and asking every medical staff “How’s the BP now?” “How’s baby?”. Then seeing various doctors and informing them of symptoms of vomit, firm tummy (uterus) and visual disturbances.

On Thursday a mid-wife uses the CTG machine to pick up baby’s heart rate, but it keeps disconnecting and connecting. I mention this but she says it’s fine. On Thursday night, I’m throwing up. On Friday day we head for an ultrasound and informed about a decrease in size to 5% percentile and referred to the Fetal Medicine Unit for a more intimate scan. Despite the urgency, the next available scan is for Monday. I was offered steroid injections as I would need to deliver early and this would help baby’s lungs grow. ‘I was very overwhelmed at the thought of needing to rush this decision and decline. Hoping I can accept them in the morning.

On Friday night I am walking from toilet bay to toilet bay feeling constipated but not able to pass a bowel movement – to quiet room speaking to Arlo. Something not feeling right and I could not settle.

I head back to my bay, “Natasha you don’t seem very well…” remarks a mid-wife. Student mid-wife cannot make CTG work or so I believed. Goes to get her partner mid-wife. Mid-wives cannot detect baby’s heartbeat. They ask doctor to come up and scan me. Doctor brings in what appears to be more of an intimate ultrasound machine and inform me of placental abruption and baby’s passing at approximately midnight on Friday 19th/into Saturday.

I was moved down to the delivery suite, left alone to call my Mum and partner to come to the hospital. I had to hold this news by myself in the room until they arrived. Several consultants, anaesthetists and mid-wives visited me. I felt fear-mongered when informed that if things turned, I would need to go for an emergency c-section, under general anaesthetic with tube down my throat. My iron was low, my platelet count was low, as well as my blood pressure still being high. It was all worrying. I was being prodded and poked for blood samples, a catheter fitted, induced vaginally, given a blood transfusion, asked to sign away and deliver my passed baby boy, thankfully naturally.

Aggravatingly, there was mention of HELLP syndrome a few days after birth when we were on the bereavement ward.

Of course I carry self-blame of not having the steroid injections, anything I didn’t raise during pregnancy or anything that could have caused it, but I’m not medically qualified. This shouldn’t be my fault.

From the unspeakable loss overnight, to the full labour process throughout Saturday 20th to birth our deceased beloved, this has been a nightmare that we will never be able to wake from. I am keen for my story to be read by those suffering with pre-eclampsia, expectant Mother’s, but most importantly consultants and medical professionals.

Natasha and her family have created a GoFundMe in support of APEC and funeral expenses.