A Mother’s Gut Feeling Proved Right at 20-Week Scan
Morgan Mairs faced a tough pregnancy journey, but her instincts led to crucial care for her baby.
Wythenshawe, UK, Morgan Mairs, Aspen, NICU, Postnatal Depression
Wythenshawe: Morgan Mairs was thrilled to be pregnant again after a tough first experience. She had a long labor with her son, Oaklen, and needed an emergency C-section. So, when she found out she was expecting again in November 2023, she was over the moon.
At her six-week check-up, doctors labeled her pregnancy as high-risk due to her previous complications. Morgan tried to stay positive, but anxiety crept in as her due date approached.
At her 20-week scan, her worries were confirmed. The doctors couldn’t get proper measurements because the baby’s head was too low. Even though they reassured her and scheduled a follow-up, Morgan felt something was off.
By 25 weeks, her unease grew, and she tried to reach her midwife for an earlier appointment. Then, on April 17, she experienced heavy bleeding and was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital. Unfortunately, her fears came true—there was no amniotic fluid around the baby.
They hooked her up to an IV and gave her injections to prevent early labor. Later, she was transferred to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester for closer monitoring.
On April 24, Morgan started feeling contractions, but there was confusion about whether she was in labor. Just two hours later, she couldn’t hold back the urge to push and gave birth to her daughter, Aspen, at just 26 weeks, weighing less than a bag of sugar.
Sadly, Morgan didn’t have her family with her at the hospital. She had to wait about ten minutes before she could hold Aspen, who was on a ventilator and needed to go to NICU.
For the next week, Morgan stayed in the hospital while Aspen fought for her life on life support. The tiny baby underwent two blood transfusions due to concerns about her white blood cell count.
Every day was a struggle, with bad news often overshadowing their visits. But against all odds, Aspen began to improve. After several weeks, she moved to the high dependency unit, giving the family a glimmer of hope.
As Aspen gained weight, Morgan finally got to feed her a bottle, and she took to it right away. However, Aspen still faced challenges with her oxygen levels, and doctors warned of possible setbacks.
Despite everything, Aspen continued to grow stronger. Finally, after 72 long days in the hospital, she was allowed to go home on July 3. Morgan was overjoyed to bring her baby girl home, even if it meant using oxygen.
After all the challenges, Morgan faced personal struggles, including severe postnatal depression, which affected her relationship with Aspen’s father. But now, Aspen is thriving, off oxygen, and is a happy, bubbly eight-month-old.
Callum, Aspen’s dad, is organizing a boxing exhibition match to raise funds for the NICU ward that cared for their daughter. He wants to give back to the staff who played a crucial role in Aspen’s survival.
In a heartfelt message, he expressed gratitude for the NICU team, emphasizing their dedication and care. A spokesperson from St Mary’s Hospital acknowledged Morgan’s concerns and expressed their commitment to providing the best care possible.