Arrans Story

Our much longed for little boy Arran came into this world a bit early (at 31 weeks and 5 days) due to complications with preeclampsia. He was born on Monday the 22nd June at 4.48pm, weighing 3lbs 6oz and 43cm long! Although he was born early, Arran was healthy, perfect, and so beautiful. He cried as soon as he arrived, and it was like music to us - the most beautiful sound in the world! He had his daddy’s eyes and furrowed brow, my lips and chin and chubby cheeks. He had lots of hair too, which was no surprise but explained the heartburn! I’ve never seen a more beautiful boy - the love we felt was so surreal, he took my breath away.

Arran needed some help in NICU with his breathing due to being born prematurely, which we had been expecting. We went down to visit him after my surgery, spending time just staring at him and wondering how on Earth we created such a perfect baby! He was doing so well, his little eyes tight shut but his legs kicking about, like he was dreaming.

My husband was sent home to sleep, and we planned to meet up again in the morning to spend the day with our boy. But our lives came crashing down just 12 hours later, when I was woken just before 5am to the news that Arran was very poorly - they had tried to resuscitate him, but he wasn’t responding. Our beautiful boy had died. I could never explain the pain to you - my heart truly broke that day.

We later discovered that Arran had passed away due to prematurity and pulmonary insufficiency due to preeclampsia and associated placental under-perfusion. It seems like the odds had been stacked against Arran from the moment he was conceived, and no one could have known - the fact that our little fighter was born crying and fought to stay for those few hours, while completely heartbreaking, is a miracle and a testament to his strength and determination. Our little sleeping warrior.

With the support of the amazing midwives and staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, as well as the neonatal and bereavement teams, we were able to spend time with Arran. We were given a private room where our immediate family could visit, and with the help of a cuddle cot we were able to spend time with Arran - holding him, cuddling him, and making as many memories as possible. No time would ever be enough with our beautiful son, but the time we did have was so precious to us and the memories we have with him will stay with us all of our lives.

Arran’s legacy is so important to us - he has taught us so much, and has made us better people and better parents. We feel his absence and his love every single day, in everything we do - we are so proud of our incredible son, and we will keep celebrating him and the love he left behind for the rest of our lives.