'My baby and I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for our amazing maternity care'

When heavily pregnant Ceri Richardson started suffering a nasty headache earlier this month, she initially thought it had been brought on by the noise of her six-year-old son’s Sports Day.  

But worse symptoms were to follow, including a pain in her ribs and severe bleeding, which prompted to her pay an urgent visit to the maternity unit at the University Hospital of Wales.  

Midwives quickly discovered that the 34-year-old from Whitchurch, Cardiff, had pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition which caused her blood pressure to skyrocket.  

They also found out that Ceri had suffered a placental abruption, a serious complication that occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus.  

“It was terrifying at the time, but I cannot fault the staff for the way they managed to calm me down,” she recalled. “One of the midwives in particular was so kind and caring - she looked after me so well.  

“The anaesthetists were amazing too. They talked through everything that was happening to me - and we even discussed baby names which really put me at ease.”  

The decision was made to take Ceri to theatre where she was given an emergency c-section. Her son, Benji Richardson, was born in the early hours of Thursday, July 6 weighing just 4lb 7oz.  

Ceri, who was at 35 weeks’ gestation when Benji arrived into the world, said she was allowed to have the shortest of cuddles with her newborn before he was taken away to be given additional breathing support.  

He was then moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where he was intubated and put under a special light to treat his jaundice.  

“His lungs weren’t mature enough. The steroids they gave me didn’t have time to work as I got to the hospital so quickly,” Ceri added. “But a week on and he’s now had the breathing tube taken out. He’s still got one for his food as he’s not keen on drinking a bottle yet.”  

According to Ceri, not enough women know about the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia. Early signs include high blood pressure and protein in the urine, but others can include sudden swelling of the face, hands and feet, headaches, vomiting, pain below the ribs and vision problems.  

“When I had the initial headache, I thought it was caused by all the kids screaming in my older son’s Sports Day, so I took some paracetamol for that. And I thought the pain in my ribs was caused by the way the baby was lying in me,” she admitted.  

“I didn’t put two and two together that it could be high blood pressure as it had been so low throughout my pregnancy, and it didn’t cross my mind that I might be experiencing pre-eclampsia.  

“After the birth the doctor said to me that I’d been really lucky because I was bleeding so much that I could have lost my life - and Benji could have lost his too.”  

Ceri, who needed two blood transfusions after the c-section, said Benji is now out of intensive care and was allowed to come home on July 18.

“I would like to say the biggest ‘thank you’ to the staff. They’re all angels and they deserve so much praise. No words I say will ever be enough.”  

If you notice any signs of pre-eclampsia, seek medical advice immediately by contacting the maternity unit, GP surgery or NHS 111.