Cameron and I met through work in April 2006, and it was lust at first sight! Over the following months we became drinking, dancing and last-man-standing buddies, but we also became unlikely confidantes and learnt a lot about each other.

Then, the Christmas party that year signalled a turning point in our lives, when what started as a drunken and way overdue snog turned into a life-changing series of events.

A new chapter

At the end of January, I missed my period! To begin with I didn’t panic – women are often late! I hadn’t been late in the last 17 odd years of menstruating, but it happens ALL the time... right? So, early into this wonderful whirlwind romance filled with dinners and walks in the park, we found ourselves trudging down the high street to buy THE test.

I had barely held the stick up before it screamed ‘PREGNANT’ at me! No blue line for me – there it was in bold black print, clear as day.

Cam and I made the decision that we were going to ‘do this’ and spent the next few months really focusing on building our relationship. We had a wonderful time and fell properly and truly in love. We shared our lives and every aspect of the pregnancy and involved both our families who, after the initial shock, were very happy for us. I bloomed, my hair, nails and skin were gorgeous, I didn’t put on any weight except for my beautiful bump and I had a glorious time.

Just popping out

Then, at about 28 weeks, I started to swell. The midwife told me not to worry, it was just part of being pregnant. Swollen ankles I could have lived with, looking like the Michelin Man, I did not enjoy - I even had a fat face!

I developed a severe back ache in week 29 and went for acupuncture but that only gave me slight, short-lived relief. On Sunday 15th July 2007 at about 2am, after not being able to sleep for 3 nights due to the pain, I gently shook Cameron awake and told him I was ‘just popping to the hospital to get some proper painkillers’ and I’d be back in a bit. St Georges in Tooting was literally a 2 minute drive from our house, so off I went.

Dr Austin did a general check, gave me some painkillers and then asked a midwife to take some vitals. She took urine and blood samples, checked my blood pressure - and paled. She asked me to sit down and remain calm and continued to monitor my blood pressure over a period of 20 minutes then, looking grim she went to consult Dr Austin.

Together, they sat me down and explained that I was showing signs of pre-eclampsia and that there was protein in my urine. The baby would possibly have to come out in the next 3 to 4 weeks, however they would keep me overnight for observation. Thank goodness they did. No sooner had I got to my room than I vomited and collapsed. I vaguely remember doctors, nurses, drips, and a warning that there would be an emergency delivery and that the baby would probably arrive within 48 hours – at just 30 weeks.

Emergency delivery

Cameron arrived to find about 8 people standing outside my door in murmured conversation. My condition rapidly deteriorated, and our baby was born at 12:15pm on that Sunday weighing in at 3 pounds 2 ounces.

Joshua was a little fighter and thanks to the wonderfully clever and kind doctors and nurses on the neo-natal ward, was ready to come home after 6 long, hard, emotionally draining weeks, now weighing a whopping 4 pounds 4 ounces.

A few scary moments

We had a few scary months after that with Josh having apnoeic episodes which required CPR from me, most memorably in September 2007 when we were visiting friends and I discovered a blue baby in my arms. The ambulance response was awesome but I had to apply CPR before they took over and breaths were not enough. Doing chest compressions on a tiny baby is terrifying and I don’t remember much of what I did but Cam and our friends were so supportive and kept me going.

Josh was treated for Meningitis and we were hospitalised for a week. On release though, Josh went from strength to strength and touch wood, has had no lasting effects from oxygen deprivation.

A happy ending

We are a happy family with a healthy and boisterous 2 and a half year old with the biggest blue eyes. I am grateful every day for my two beautiful boys. A lot of people ask me how I did it but at the time, you just deal with it. The panic and hysteria comes after. I also believe there is something bigger than us watching over me and my family. I had the love and support of a wonderful man and we did it together. And what a reward!

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