I found out I was pregnant with Gemma when I was 4 1/2 months gone. I already had one son, Harry and that was a text book delivery so I expected the same for Gemma. I was 18 weeks when I found out that she was more than likely going to die. One bump or knock to the stomach could have killed her. There was hardly any amniotic fluid in the sac. Thats why I still weren’t showing. The doctors told me, I had to have a c-section on the 29th July 2010. 4 weeks before she was due. I was living in fear for th next 2 1/2 months, everyime I even umped her i’d get the heart moniter out and check she was fine. There was one point where no one could find her heartbeat and I had to have an ultrasound which proved she was fine. I’ve never been so scared. I was 29 weeks then and they gave her steroids in the lungs.
On the 5th July my waters broke, I would have just dismissed it because it was that little, but I was in the middle of a shop and just screamed. An ambulance was called and I was rushed in for a c-section. She came out not breathing with the cord around her neck. i was lying there waiting for her scream. It took 3 1/2 minutes to revive her. I had tears streaming down my face. When she started crying I don’t think i’ve ever been so relieved. She started breathing on her own after that but was rushed straight to NICU. Shes getting better bit by bit everyday. Shes fairly well developed for a baby born at that gestational age.
Maya Angelou – I can’t imagine my life without him
"When I was 16, a boy in high school evinced...