Guest Post – Claire Duggan, why we support Tommy’s Charity
Introducing this week’s guest writer, Claire Duggan who is running the Baby Races for Tommy’s, which is Amoralia‘s charity of choice.
Claire writes:
In March 2009, my husband Jason and I decided to try for a baby. Just 4 weeks later I held in my hand a positive test and I was ecstatic!
The pregnancy wasn’t smooth from the start, nevertheless the 12 week scan passed and I told everyone our exciting news. At my 20 week scan I was told that our baby was a little small but that it wasn’t anything to worry about. I had a private scan planned a few days later, for Jason’s birthday, but as soon as the sonographer put the wand on my tummy I knew something was wrong. Our beautiful boy’s heart had stopped beating and at 21 weeks I went through an induction to deliver my first son, Rory. Our post mortem results revealed blood clots in the placenta.
I fell pregnant again just 6 weeks after Rory died but sadly this ended in an early miscarriage. Incredibly, I fell pregnant again after 4 weeks and this time was closely monitored. All the milestones passed and everything looked good, however at 25 weeks I noticed a dramatic slowdown in his movements. I returned to hospital to check that everything was still well. Sadly our second son, Milo had already died. I could hardly believe it; I delivered Milo on the 11th of April a perfect boy weighing 2.2 pounds.
I was heartbroken, but determined to try again. I longed for a child more than ever now. Another miscarriage followed before, on the 7th of April and after a very stressful 36 weeks, I was induced and (following a 3 day labour) my 7.7 pound son Finlay came screaming into the world – the absolute best moment of my life! Our anguish wasn’t quite over as Finlay had some blood thinners in his system and a bleed on his lung but after 2 weeks in special care we brought him home.
I think of my boys every day and that is why I support the amazing work that Tommy’s does. Without Tommy’s research and expertise, I know that Finlay wouldn’t be here. That’s why on the 7th of July I will be putting on my trainers for the Baby Race. Like most new mums I’m (still) carrying a few extra pounds so this is a great way to get in shape and raise some money for Tommy’s. I hope I can make all my boys proud and raise as much awareness for Tommy’s and their wonderful work as I can.
The Baby Races are a series of 8K runs that encourage hundreds of mums and dads to run with their baby in their buggy! Tommy’s Baby Races gives families, friends and even the little ones the chance to actively help Tommy’s give more babies the best start in life. The races are organized in partnership with the pre and post-natal fitness experts, Buggyfit and each event begins with an aerobic warm-up led by Buggyfit’s qualified instructors. Now in its third year, the Tommy’s Baby Races will be taking place in even more UK locations from 1st to 22nd July. Locations include London, Aylesbury, Windsor, Cheltenham, Ruislip, Bedford, Northwich and Cambridge. Races will also be held in Cardiff and Glasgow in September.
Upon crossing the finish-line, each participant will be awarded a fun-packed goodie-bag including goodies from sponsors Cow & Gate, Forever Friends and Jump, and there are prizes to be won for top fundraisers. For more information and to learn more about other races taking place, visit www.tommys.org/babyrace
Tommy’s
Tommy’s is a national charity, funding research into stillbirth, miscarriage and premature birth and provides a free information service that educates all parents-to-be about health in pregnancy, including a telephone midwife service and free books and leaflets. To speak to a Tommy’s midwife call the charity’s PregnancyLine for free on 0800 0147 800 or visit www.tommys.org
Besides style, for Amoralia, innovation and empathy are also at the heart of the brand so it seems natural to commit a percentage of Amoralia’s profits to a charity which aims to end the heartache caused by premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth. This week for National Breastfeeding Week, Amoralia are donating a £1 for every purchase of Nursing Bras to Tommy’s.
Tags: guest post, labour story