Watch the story of the woman who gave birth 16 weeks early
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28-year-old Sarah Donaldson gave birth to her daughter Kiara 16 weeks early when she sat on the toilet seat at her home in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
The first-time mother was rushed to the hospital after giving birth at home. Sarah and her husband Paul were told their daughter wouldn’t survive as their daughter had a bleed on both sides of her brain and her lung.
But, their daughter miraculously survived and is now 15-month-old.
Sarah said: “The thought of losing our baby and having to say our final goodbyes was agonising. Paul and I were trying our best to keep it together and stay strong, but in the back of my mind I didn’t think we would be taking her home.”
“I had a smooth pregnancy up until I suddenly gave birth. I couldn’t wait for Paul and I to have a family of our own. But at 24 weeks, I had concerns as I was in agony, I knew something wasn’t right, we went to pregnancy assessment unit but we were sent away with ‘growing pains’.”
“About ten hours passed and Paul rang 111 again and as he was on the phone I went to the toilet. I felt like the gravity was pulling me down as a gush of water came out – I thought it was urine as I felt better straight away.”
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“I shouted to Paul to tell him the pain had finally gone, but within seconds, it returned, and I realised I was about to give birth.point 215 |
Thankfully, Paul was already on the phone to the emergency services who arrived in about three minutes, but I already had Kiara in my arms.point 115 | ”point 118 | 1
Sarah had four miscarriages before she gave birth to Kiara. It was devastating when they were told Kiara wouldn’t survive.
After spending four long months in the NICU, they were finally allowed to take Kiara home.
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Kiara is now 15-month-old and is thriving.point 142 | Sarah said: “She has to have physiotherapy to make sure she reaches milestones and is still monitored every few months at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for after-effects of the brain bleed but she is doing brilliantly.point 329 |
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“We cannot thank the paramedics, the NICU and the staff at Alder Hey enough for saving our babies life and helping our little fighter through the toughest and longest four months of our lives.”