A family in Rutherglen have been left "heartbroken" after a first-time mum died during childbirth following a "textbook" pregnancy. "Amazing" Chelsea McGillivray, 31, tragically passed away on Monday (August 24) after doctors tried "everything they could" to save her when her heart stopped in labour.
Her family have said it's a "miracle" that Chelsea's baby Tommy survived after she suffered a sudden unknown cardiac event while in labour, and that clinging on for long enough to save her newborn son was "the last thing she could do for him". Long-term partner and Tommy's dad Jack Mitchell, 31, is now confronting the challenge of bringing up the newborn without Chelsea beside him, but loved ones say "he's a natural" at fatherhood.
Family's tribute to 'life and soul of every party'
Chelsea's sister-in-law Lorna McGillivray, 33, described her as the "life and soul of every party", adding that she was desperate to become a mum. She has set up a GoFundMe to support Jack and Tommy - which raised nearly £50,000 in just one day.
Lorna, who is married to Chelsea's brother Steven, told Glasgow Live: "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."
Chelsea had displayed no signs of any health problems during her pregnancy, Lorna says, and she had been preparing on the hospital ward at the Queen Elizabeth to give birth to baby Tommy when she "crashed suddenly".
Nine-minute labour and emergency efforts
Lorna shared: "She got to the labour suite at around 8.30am and Tommy was born at 8.39am. So all of this transpired in nine minutes. 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."
"But they just couldn't get her back. She was here one minute talking away, and not the next." Lorna believes that Chelsea's body "held on" long enough to ensure her son Tommy's survival in her final act before she passed.
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 discharged from hospital
Tommy was taken to the NICU and was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday, an event Lorna described as "bittersweet". The bereaved sister-in-law revealed that the cause of Chelsea's death remains unconfirmed, adding: "We know her heart stopped but we don't know why. She was completely healthy as far as everyone was concerned."
In addition to being the "life of the party", Lorna added that "glamorous" Chelsea was a massive football fan who relished watching Rangers play at Ibrox, and that she had a very close relationship with her parents and family. She further noted that Chelsea had "the most infectious laugh".
Following her unexpected demise, Chelsea's loved ones have "rallied round" her partner Jack to assist him in navigating single parenthood. 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." 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."
