On the 19th of March 2015, our little angel Ben was born sleeping at 30+5 weeks weighing 3lb 12&1/2 oz.
We had a really healthy pregnancy but after a day of reduced movements & braxton hicks at 27+5 weeks I visited my maternity day unit to be monitored, which was fine, & sent for a scan for reassurance! At the scan it showed Ben to be severely hydropic, we were kept in & being prepared to deliver him early with steroid injections.
The next day we were sent for another scan that showed Ben had become anaemic & the ventricles in his brain had started to dilate. The doctors advised Ben was severely poorly & delivering him was neither in his or our best interests but it was best to monitor him & let him pass naturally in utero & deliver him normally.
During this ‘waiting & seeing’ time & after many blood tests it was discovered at some point during my pregnancy I had a primary infection of cmv, which looking back at my booking bloods, was present at 8 weeks pregnant but however had not begun to affect Ben til 26 weeks.
We have two older boys too & through all three pregnancies had never heard of CMV, the infection that killed my son.
Our healthcare team have been amazing & CMV Action has provided us with lots of info since.
The work you’re doing to raise awareness will hopefully make mothers more aware of the risks.
Thank you, Jade