Our family is fundraising for a privacy pram for the Lotus Team at our local hospital, in loving memory of our beautiful daughter, Thea-Dottie.

The moment our lives changed forever. At just 17 weeks pregnant, I was admitted to hospital after having alot of bleeding during pregnancy, at 19 weeks we received a positive PPROM test, confirming that my waters had broken far too early. What followed were some incredibly difficult weeks in hospital as doctors tried everything they could to help us keep our baby safe while also protecting my health.

During that time, I lost 1.3 litres of blood and required two bags of blood during a blood transfusion, two iron infusions, and IV fluids. It was an emotional and frightening time for our whole family, especially for our 6 year old son, who missed having his mum at home.

We were offered a TFMR (termination for medical reasons) because the risks to my life were extremely high. But despite the uncertainty and fear, we chose to continue with hope in our hearts. Our goal was to reach 22 weeks, when our daughter would have been considered viable and doctors would have been able to try to help her survive.

Sadly, our precious girl had other plans.

At 21 weeks and 1 day, our beautiful daughter, Thea-Dottie, was born. She was born breathing and spent her short life surrounded completely by love. She passed away peacefully in her daddy’s arms when her tiny lungs became too tired.

After losing our daughter, we then faced another heartbreaking moment. We had to move wards, and her daddy had to push her cot through the hospital corridors. In the midst of our grief, this walk felt unimaginably painful and exposed.

A privacy pram would have made such a difference to us during that moment.

These specialist prams allow bereaved families to move through the hospital with dignity and privacy after losing their baby. They also give parents the opportunity to take their babies to places such as the hospital remembrance garden, creating precious memories in a more protected and compassionate way.

Through this fundraiser, we hope to provide other families with a little more comfort during the darkest moments of their lives.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help us honour Thea-Dottie’s memory and support families facing baby loss.

Thank you for reading our story, for your kindness, and for helping us create something meaningful in memory of our beautiful little girl.