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Hi I’m Melanie, in June I’m climbing Ben Nevis along with a team of four fantastic ladies including  my sister Lauren and best friend Hannah to raise money for the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

Since 2015 I have been under the care of a team in the Golden Jubilee Hospital who specialise in woman who have heart conditions including helping women through pregnancy and child birth. I’ve had a heart condition since I was born and have undergone heart surgery before (at age 12) to install an artificial valve which requires me to take medication and regularly check my blood levels. Me and my fiancé Graeme have always wanted a family but knew this would be challenging due my condition.

At the age of 25 the team at the Jubilee helped guide me through my first pregnancy with regular  check-ups and a full birthing plan. This birthing plan involved a team of over 25 doctors and nurses in the delivery room which resulted in the healthy delivery of my daughter Arianna who was born prematurely at the Jubilee at 37 weeks (3weeks early ) weighing  5lbs 10oz.

Last year I was back under their care with my second pregnancy. Again, the team guided me through my pregnancy with regular appointments and check-ups however at 25 weeks pregnant during one of my regular appointments I was admitted to the jubilee following a complication with my heart as my aortic valve appeared to be ‘blocked’. I was admitted to hospital  for observation to find out the cause of the blockage. For three weeks the team attempted to unblock my heart using medication; however this was unsuccessful and due to the risk on both my life and my daughter’s I was told I would have to undergo heart surgery as soon as possible. The team held off as long as they could to give my daughter Millie the best chance of a safe delivery, Millie was born at just 28 weeks (13 weeks early) weighing 2pounds 5 ounces by a team of 32. 

Nine days after Millie’s birth I underwent major heart surgery for a new heart valve and to repair  my aorta. During this time, I was in intensive care and separated from my daughter Millie as she was in Neonatal Intensive Care a different hospital from me.

I remained in hospital for a long 43 days in total (Millie  63 days in all). During that time I was faced with some of the most  challenging moments of my life, being separated from my daughters, not knowing what was next for me and in the worst pain you could imagine from the multiple surgeries I had undergone over such a short space of time.

I couldn’t have got through any of it without the most amazing care from the amazing staff at the  Golden Jubilee Hospital. From the medical team who helped plan and deliver my girls to supporting my daughter Ari, fiancé Graeme and other family making sure they were kept up to date during my surgeries and able to visit me and Millie in hospital. They even  planned a birthday party for my daughter Ari in the hospital and the  staff even knitted clothes  to  to fit little Millie!

It’s been a long road to recovery for me and little Millie. Nine months on and little Millie is doing great (she’s the happy baby in the photo) and I’m

fighting fit and training to climb Ben Nevis to help support any future parents and heart patients at the hospital.

Thank you for taking the time to read me and Millie’s story and please give as little or as much  as you can to help support me and the team!

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Thank you so much for all your support

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.