A Rutherglen family has been left "heartbroken" after a first-time mum tragically died during childbirth following what had been described as a "textbook" pregnancy.
"Amazing" Chelsea McGillivray, 31, passed away on Monday (August 24) after doctors tried "everything they could" to save her when her heart stopped while in labour.
Baby Tommy Survived
Her family have called it a "miracle" that Chelsea's baby Tommy survived after she suffered a sudden unknown cardiac event during labour, saying that holding on 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, now faces the daunting task of raising the newborn alone, though loved ones say "he's a natural" at parenthood.
Family Tributes
Chelsea's sister-in-law Lorna McGillivray, 33, described her as the "life and soul of every party", adding that she couldn't wait to become a mum. She has set up a GoFundMe page 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."
Sudden Collapse in Labour
Chelsea had displayed no signs of any health concerns throughout her pregnancy, Lorna says, and had been getting ready on the hospital ward at the Queen Elizabeth to give birth to baby Tommy when she "crashed suddenly".
Lorna said: "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 Chelsea's body "held on" so she could save her son Tommy in her final act before she passed away.
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 made it home from hospital on Wednesday, which Lorna described as "bittersweet".
Cause of Death Unknown
The devastated sister-in-law revealed that the cause of Chelsea's death has yet to be confirmed, saying: "We know her heart stopped but we don't know why.
"She was completely healthy as far as everyone was concerned."
As well as being the "life of the party", Lorna adds that "glamourous" Chelsea was a passionate football fan who loved watching Rangers play at Ibrox, and shared an incredibly close bond with her parents and wider family. She also described Chelsea as having "the most infectious laugh".
Following her sudden passing, Chelsea's nearest and dearest have "rallied round" her partner Jack to support him as he navigates parenthood on his own.
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."
Looking ahead to 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."
