Hitchin mum delivers healthy baby after major complications
Katy Evans with her son Leo - Credit: Archant
For most mothers-to-be pregnancy is an exciting time, but for one woman the journey was tainted when her waters broke at 16 weeks – putting the life of herself and her unborn baby at risk.
In July last year Katy Evans was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage four months into her second pregnancy.
The 35-year-old, of The Limes in Hitchin, spoke to the Comet about her ordeal and the decision she made not to have an abortion.
“I was admitted to Lister Hospital and sat in bed for two days waiting for an inevitable miscarriage,” she said.
“When, after 48 hours, I had not miscarried the consultant at Lister offered a termination. I responded that I had made the decision not to terminate and that I felt there was hope for the baby.
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“The consultant told me I was making an emotional decision and that I should speak to my husband, who may be less emotional. I was discharged, and two weeks later a scan showed that my waters had replenished.”
Katy carried the baby until she was 33 weeks pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy, Leo, in January this year.
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During the 48 hours that the mother-of-two was in hospital, she did her own research online which helped shape her decision not to have an abortion.
“The care that I was given was excellent and the consultant was right to offer a termination, and this is exactly what would have happened elsewhere in the country,” said Katy.
“But I was probably every doctor’s nightmare patient, reading everything I could about my condition, known as PPROM – preterm premature rupture of membranes. I had read other stories with positive endings and I felt I had to give the baby a chance whatever the outcome.
“I could feel the baby inside me and just didn’t feel that terminating the pregnancy was right for me or my family.
“I joined so many forums and blogging sites and a Facebook group for women that have experienced PPROM, and read medical papers. Although I knew the chances of the baby surviving were slim, it seemed very clear that there was hope.”
Katy believes not enough research has taken place into PPROM, and that the statistics that doctors use in the UK related to the chances of survival are out of date.
“I just hope that by sharing my story it will give hope to other women going through the same experience,” she added.
