In memory of Elsie-Rose and Nancie-Mae

On Saturday 27th of August Ashleigh and Gary along with their family and friends will be climbing Snowdon in memory of their twin baby girls, Elsie-Rose and Nancie-Mae born at 21 weeks and 4 days. They are aiming to raise money for a memory bench and for the charity Sands who provide support to anyone affected by a death of a baby.

Ashleigh and Gary want to share their story to raise awareness and to support families going through a similar situation. Ashleigh has also wanted to make her baby girls proud by focusing and distracting herself on something that can support others.

Ashleigh’s Story 

My beautiful baby girl’s  were due 12th November and we couldn’t have been happier. All scans were perfect and our babies were looking healthy until they started showing signs of TTTS. 

Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome which is a rare pregnancy condition affecting identical twins or other multiples. TTTS occurs in pregnancies where twins share one placenta (afterbirth) and a network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients essential for development in the womb.

Two days later on 24th June I woke up to my waters breaking and lost a lot of blood, I was rushed to Derby hospital to be told Nancie’s waters had broken, I was going to go into labour and both of my babies wouldn’t survive  due to being so early, I was 19weeks and 6 days pregnant. We were completely heartbroken knowing this was going to happen and having to just wait for nature to take it course. But our babies were fighters and I didn’t go into labour. We had a scan on 29th June and got a slight bit of hope; Nancie’s sack was showing signs of healing and Elsie position had improved, we were so hopeful but so scared of not knowing what was going to happen to our daughters. I stayed in hospital for another week and we had another scan on 6th July; Thus scan wasn’t as positive as Nancie had no fluid around her and Elsie’s positing wasn’t good either. They told me I could go home to be with my family. I woke up on 7th July and gave birth my my beautiful baby girl Elsie-Rose at home at 7.40am. I was again rushed to Derby hospital and gave birth to another beautiful baby girl Nancie-Mae at 9.38am. Both of our girls born sleeping at 21 weeks and 4 days old. We are completely distraught but the only comfort is knowing they are together.