A first-time mother from Scotland has died during childbirth following what her family described as a 'textbook' pregnancy. Chelsea McGillivray, 31, had shown no signs of health problems throughout her pregnancy, but her heart stopped during labour on August 24. Doctors tried 'everything they could' to save her, but she died. Her family said it is a 'miracle' that her baby boy Tommy, born to long-term partner Jack Mitchell, survived.
Sudden collapse during labour
Chelsea's sister-in-law, Lorna McGillivray, 33, said Chelsea arrived at the labour suite at around 8.30am and Tommy was born at 8.39am, with all the events transpiring in nine minutes. Lorna said: "They [c-] sectioned her and got him out, and then they started CPR. They worked on her for hours, and they had consultants and specialists from all over the Queen Elizabeth and the Jubilee." She added: "But they just couldn't get her back. She was here one minute talking away, and not the next."
Lorna, who is married to Chelsea's brother Steven, described Chelsea as the 'life and soul of every party' and said she couldn't wait to become a mum. She said: "I've never seen a mum that had everything so organised. As soon as she found out she was pregnant it was like she had found her purpose. She was the best auntie to my two boys, so I know what kind of mum she would've been."
'A miracle' Tommy survived
Lorna believes Chelsea's body 'held on' long enough to save her son Tommy in her final act before dying. She said: "It's a miracle that Tommy's here. I've spoken to some doctors and consultants, and this happening alone is extremely rare, but for the baby to survive is even rarer. I like to think her body held on long enough just to get him here safely. But obviously she never got to meet him. All she wanted was her wee baby, and he's here and he's healthy. And that's the last thing she could do for him."
Tommy was taken to the NICU and got home from the hospital on Wednesday, which Lorna described as 'bittersweet'. The cause of Chelsea's death remains unconfirmed. Lorna said: "We know her heart stopped but we don't know why. She was completely healthy as far as everyone was concerned."
Support for partner Jack
Chelsea, from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, was described as a passionate football supporter who adored watching Rangers at Ibrox, and who shared a strong bond with her parents and wider family. Lorna described her as having 'the most infectious laugh'.
Following her death, family and friends have 'rallied round' partner Jack, 31, who now faces raising the newborn alone. Lorna said: "He's obviously grieving, but at the same time trying to learn how to be a dad. But he's a natural - he won't say that himself but he is. It's bittersweet. But he's got a great support around him, and we're all there for him. They planned this for nine months - he knows exactly what Chelsea would've wanted. He's strong and he's really doing her proud."
Lorna has launched a GoFundMe page to support Jack and Tommy, which raised nearly £50,000 in just one day. Speaking about baby Tommy's future, Lorna added: "None of us will ever let him forget his mummy. She got him here safely, it was the last thing she could do for him. He's our wee miracle and he's going to be absolutely spoiled rotten."
