Sarah Taylor, a 28 year old teaching assistant gave birth to both her young children at the RVI after she and her family carried out in depth research of all the maternity units in the region, and the RVI came out top.
Both Sarah and her mother have underlying health conditions which mean they are at higher risk of developing complications than other mums-to-be during their pregnancy and at the birth.
When Sarah announced that she was expecting her first child in August 2017, they decided to research maternity units across the region and arranged to meet the team at the RVI to build strong relationships from the start.
Sarah explained: “My mum had a history of complications with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during her pregnancies, and she also developed pre-eclampsia so I knew the chances were high that I would do too. After much deliberation we made our choice and decided the RVI was the best place for complex pregnancies.”
Specialist obstetric care
Sarah was placed under the specialist care of consultant obstetrician Dr Malcolm MacDougall and they began a journey of close monitoring with lots of consultations to discuss and allay Sarah’s concerns.
“Dr McDougall saw me whenever I felt anxious,” said Sarah, “and I knew I could contact any member of the team at any time if I was worried about anything. Just having the reassurance he was there was fantastic and he always gave me as much time as I needed.”
As time went by Sarah did develop gestational diabetes but despite a few rises in blood pressure, she describes her first pregnancy as ‘plain sailing’.
Then suddenly, at about 32 weeks, Sarah became very unwell and was admitted to hospital with what she describes as gallbladder pain, despite having had them removed two years earlier. Her blood pressure became dangerously high and her hands and feet became very swollen. She needed continuous, close monitoring and was admitted to the RVI.
“One day when I saw Dr MacDougall I asked if I could go home,” said Sarah. “He simply said he was sorry but I would have to stay in hospital for the rest of my pregnancy so that they could keep a close eye on me. I wasn’t going to argue with that as I knew he had my best interests at heart.”
I would have to stay in hospital for the rest of my pregnancy so that they could keep a close eye on me.
Sarah Taylor
By the next day Sarah had taken a turn for the worse and at midnight the clinical team took the decision to rush her to the delivery suite to start inducing the birth.
Sarah’s mum Alison continued: “At that time we didn’t know the extent of how bad things were, but as time went on, we knew we were getting close to losing her. Sarah’s husband Jordan and I stayed all night receiving hourly updates; plus we wanted Dr MacDougall to know Sarah had been taken to the delivery suite as this was the man who she had faith in and wanted him to look after her.”
At around 8:30 in the morning, Jordan and Alison went into the delivery suite. “We saw Dr MacDougall and his team of about 8 or 9 people including two midwives, and my daughter wired up to all this apparatus,” said Alison. “My heart sunk, I just didn’t expect to see her like this.
“Dr MacDougall had finished his briefing to everyone and I stood to one side and he explained his plan of action. He never left her side.”
Rare condition of pre-eclampsia called HELLPS
Dr MacDougall decided he needed to perform an emergency section. Sarah had developed a rare condition of pre-eclampsia called HELLPS.
“I could feel myself dying,” said Sarah, “yet Dr MacDougall was so calming. He said ‘This is not a drama – you are fine’. I know now that I wasn’t fine, but he knows me so well and knew how to reassure me.”
Around four hours later, Dr MacDougall and the team delivered Zac, weighing 4lb 10oz. He was healthy and just needed to go to special care for help with feeding whilst Sarah recovered.
Alison said: “If Dr MacDougall had not closely monitored her, I could be telling a different story. He was absolutely tremendous, going above and beyond what a consultant would normally do, and I feel he needs recognition for what he has done and what he continues to do for my daughter.
“I say the words ‘continue to do’ as in the last few weeks she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl by elective caesarean section. From week 33 right up to the end of her pregnancy, my daughter attended weekly antenatal appointments. She was always seen by lovely staff (too many to mention) who fussed over her and little Zac, and she always waited to see Dr MacDougall and his team.
“He continued regular testing for pre-eclampsia and she had regular extra appointments to the maternity assessment unit to monitor her blood pressure. He was making sure this HELLPS syndrome didn’t happen again.”
Sarah added that that there was another positive outcome to her second child’s birth. “My husband Jordan was traumatised by everything that happened during Zac’s delivery. He really believed that he I was going to die.
“Although everything was ok in the end, he wasn’t able to shake off what he saw, and was diagnosed with depression when things didn’t get any better.”
When Sarah fell pregnant for a second time, Jordan was terrified that the same thing could happen again and the latter weeks of Sarah’s pregnancy became an anxious time for everyone.
I can't begin to explain how I feel about Dr MacDougall, the whole team and the RVI itself.
Sarah Taylor
“Our daughter Esmae’s birth was a very different experience. A happy, trauma free delivery which helped Jordan to overcome his anxieties which is just wonderful. I can’t begin to explain how I feel about Dr MacDougall, the whole team and the RVI itself. In fact I miss not being able to go there!”
Alison couldn’t agree more adding “I cannot express enough how so very grateful we are to Mr MacDougall, and his team, and we hold him in very high regard. Because of him, my daughter and her husband are blessed with two beautiful children.”
