Weʼre raising funds to support St Mary's Newborn Intensive Care Unit & Wythenshawe Hospital Maternity Department. 

My wife and best friend, Rachel Molloy died in the early hours of 25th April at the age of 36.

She was full term and heavily pregnant with our little girl, Isabelle Rachel Molloy and started having abdominal pains at around 7pm on the evening of 24th April. We had assumed at the time she was going into labour and went to hospital but Rachel never made it. Rachel collapsed at the entrance of the hospital at around 7.40pm having suffered a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, an incredibly rare complication of pregnancy which I understand is almost un-survivable.

The doctors and nurses at Wythenshawe Hospital did everything they possibly could and up to 75 people battled away in the operating theater to save her life but it wasn't enough and Rachel passed away at 1.36am on 25th April.

Throughout the pregnancy we didn't know if we were going to have a boy or a girl and looked forward to the surprise of finding out when they were born. Rachel never knew she'd had a little girl and never got to meet her.

Isabelle was delivered by caesarean section at 8.04pm on 24th April but due to trauma of the birth she was very poorly. She was put into a cooling chamber to prevent further brain damage and rushed to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester where she has been cared for since. The staff there have been incredible and she has been well looked after. I could not wish for a more caring and compassionate team to look after my little miracle.

Its still very early days since Isabelle was born but it is understood from a brain scan that the severe trauma suffered at birth has resulted in her suffering significant brain damage and it is likely she will be in hospital for a long time yet whilst her health improves.

Rachel's funeral will be held at 12pm on Thursday 16th May 2019. All who wish to attend are welcome but we ask that only close family provide flowers.

All those who wish may instead donate money on this page to Manchester St Marys Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Maternity Department of Wythenshawe Hospital. Donations will be split equally between the two. There will also be a collection on the day for those who wish to donate in person.

For more information on St Mary's NICU go to: https://mft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/services/newborn-intensive-care-unit-nicu/


Love Nick, James and Isabelle xxx

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