Scots mum who lost baby after complex pregnancies inspired to help other women by becoming midwife

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A mum who had four traumatic pregnancies, two premature babies and lost a two-day-old daughter is studying to become a midwife.

Inspirational Louise Smith, 37, from Alloa, said after all the heartache she hopes by becoming a midwife she can make a
difference to others.

Speaking on World Prematurity Day, the mum of four said: “Even as a little girl I dreamt of being a midwife but having severe complications with three pregnancies, giving birth to two premature babies, having two children with complex health needs and losing my beautiful daughter has meant it’s taken me a wee while to get to this point.

“I think going through what I have will make me a better midwife. Everyone can empathise with your trauma and your grief but unless you have been through it you can’t understand.

“I’m only in my first year at college but I can’t wait until I’m qualified and can start helping other mums whose babies come along well before their due date.”

Louise, married to supermarket manager Craig, 42, had first child Eilidh in 2007. Her waters broke at 26 weeks but with monitoring the delivery was delayed until 35 weeks. Eilidh was born without complications and went home within six hours.

Rhuaridh, 11, was born just before his due date and was the only child among her four pregnancies to reach near-full term without any significant complications.

It was only after he was born he was diagnosed with idiopathic anaphylaxis. Until the age of seven, Rhuaridh was allergic to nearly everything including water and needed an epi pen constantly.

Louise said: “In 2017, along came Cooper. My waters broke at 23 weeks and he was born four weeks later at 27 weeks, weighing 1kg, the same size as a Coke.

“He initially defied expectations by breathing independently and crying at birth but he soon faced a series of challenges, resulting in an 89-day hospital stay.

“Cooper’s primary issues included severe vomiting, with episodes reaching up to 80 times a day. He was also diagnosed with chronic lung disease and was on oxygen until he was two-and-a-half.

“Likely due to brain bleeds shortly after birth, he now faces chronic muscular pain, imbalances in muscle tone, and joint instability.

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“These conditions resemble, but have not been diagnosed as, dyspraxia or cerebral palsy. He is also waiting a diagnosis for autism. You name it, he’s been through it but like most prem babies is a fighter.”

Louise, whose eldest daughter Eilidh is now at university, said losing youngest Ainsley tore her life apart. Ainsley was born at 28 weeks but died two days later from sepsis.

Louise said: “She was cremated and we put some of her ashes inside a teddy. Now everywhere we go, Ainsley Bear goes too.”

Louise and Craig are helping others by allowing Cooper to be part of the Theirworld Edinburgh Birth Cohort monitoring ­premature babies from birth to adulthood.

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