A BRAVE mum had to go through half of her triplet pregnancy knowing that one of her tiny babies would be stillborn.
Kirsty Alexander, from Kent, is speaking out about her heartbreaking ordeal to raise awareness of infant loss.
12Kirsty carried her triplets to full term, knowing that one of her babies would be stillbornCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
12She was surprised to find that she was pregnant again after needing IVF to conceive her daughter BonnieCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
Kirsty was surprised to find that she was pregnant again, after needing IVF to conceive her first daughter, Bonnie.
From four weeks gestation, however, she noticed spotting.
Fearing a miscarriage, she and her husband John booked an early ultrasound at seven weeks.
But the pair were reassured that everything was normal and that actually, there were three heartbeats instead of one.
“I seemed to have a baby bump very quickly after finding out, but other than that I didn’t think it felt too different to Bonnie’s pregnancy,” Kirsty, 33, explained.
12Kirsty says she knew from the start that this second pregnancy was different from her firstCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
12When she and husband John found out that they were expecting triplets, she immediately started laughing and cryingCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
“I did experience some bleeding, which I thought was concerning so we went for a scan earlier than expected.
“We saw the consultant in week seven for reassurance due to the bleeding.
“I was terrified that we may have miscarried but our consultant said, ‘it’s a double congratulations as there are two heartbeats’ and then he paused before saying ‘oh there’s a third’.”
She recalled that she simultaneously started laughing and crying – as well as shaking.
“I loved each of the babies from the minute we found out we were expecting triplets.
“I’d imagined what they looked like, what their personalities might be like and most of all I’d imagined holding them all safely in my arms.”
12But very early on, Kirsty noticed some spotting, and at an 18-week scan medics detected a problem with one of the couple’s unborn daughtersCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
12Doctors warned the couple that Dotty had developmental problemsCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
But by 18 weeks, a scan revealed serious issues with one of the babies.
One of the couple’s unborn daughters, Dotty, seemed to have a build-up of fluid around her brain, and developmental problems had caused her to pass away.
“The consultants believe the abnormalities that Dotty had were caused by a developmental issue, and the issues with her brain were potentially caused by a problem with the valve to her brain,” Kirsty said.
The heroic mum had to go through her pregnancy knowing that her angel baby Dotty would be stillborn.
12The couple found out that Dotty had fluid around her brainCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
12While baby Dotty passed away – Kirsty had to carry her to term, along with her sister Delilah and brother WilfCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
Dotty, Delilah and Wilfred were born on March 6, 2019 at 36 weeks, via C-section.
Kirsty says that she struggled with anxiety over her remaining two babies.
“The first few weeks were awful. I felt like I couldn’t leave the house because my anxiety spiralled and I was so terrified of something else happening to one of our survivors,” she recalled.
Despite amazing support from her midwives and the perinatal team, who advised her to share her feelings and emotions with those around her, Kirsty says she “didn’t feel strong enough to speak face-to-face” about what happened.
12’I cried so many tears at the thought of her being alone, so Dotty’s bunny was something I chose to keep her safe,’ Kirsty saidCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
12Kirsty said she’s struggled to deal with the joy at welcoming her surviving twins with her devastation at losing DottyCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
So she turned to Instagram instead.
“It helped so much to let go of some of the fear, upset and anger that I had bottled up,” she said.
“There were times when John had to speak on my behalf to the midwives at the hospital as I just couldn’t get my words out through the tears.
“But Instagram almost allowed me to have a comfort blanket for my emotions and it protected me from the face to face interactions whilst still allowing me to share my feelings.
12She was so devastated that she couldn’t bring herself to talk to anyone face-to-face about what had happenedCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
“It gave me a platform to grieve and I spoke with so many wonderful, supportive and caring people.
“It also put me in contact with people who experienced loss themselves and they offered me words of comfort that really helped when I was at my lowest.”
Her biggest issue after Dotty’s death was the prospect of having to say goodbye once she’d given birth to her.
“The whole time I carried her I felt like she was safe and close to me, but I knew once I gave birth, I would have to grieve all over again for her.
“I cried so many tears at the thought of her being alone, so Dotty’s bunny was something I chose to keep her safe.
12Kirsty said she opened up on Instagram as a means of coping with her lossCredit: MDWfeatures / Kirsty Alexander
“I cuddled it the night before my C-section, so when they took Dotty away, she’d always have it with her, and it would smell of me.
“I just couldn’t bear the thought of her being alone. Delilah and Wilf also have their bunnies.”
The whole experience has helped Kirsty to realise just how precious life is.
“I appreciate every second I get with my babies; I hold them even tighter and love them even more unconditionally than I even thought possible since losing Dotty.”
She’s now sharing her story to try to help other bereaved parents get the support they need.
“Talking really does help lift the weight of grief, but parents need support to feel like they can open up to get through what is the most heart-breaking experience.
“Whether you’ve lost a baby at three weeks or 30 weeks, or you’ve lost a child that’s been born, you are entitled to feel the upset.
“Each one of those mums and dads is a mum and a dad, and even if it’s to an angel baby, they will always be a parent to their baby.”
Source: thesun.co.uk
