Newborn is 'light' keeping grieving family together after mum dies during birth

The family of a South Lanarkshire woman who died while giving birth to her first child has described her as being “born to be a mum”.

Chelsea McGillivray, 31, from Rutherglen, passed away at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow last Monday, August 24, after the arrival of her son, Tommy.

The newborn was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, where he was monitored after the birth, but went home healthy with his dad, Jack, two days later.

Her sister-in-law, Lorna, said the death of Chelsea “doesn’t feel real”.

“I don’t think it’s fully hit us yet,” she said.

“The first few days we just had to huddle together ourselves for Tommy, because that’s what Chelsea would have wanted.”

Tommy was born on 24 August at the QEUH in Glasgow Supplied

‘Born to be a mum’

Chelsea and Jack discovered they were expecting on December 23 and surprised their families with the news on Christmas Day.

Lorna said Chelsea had thought about every detail of her baby’s arrival.

“She had thought of everything. The gender reveal, name plaques to surprise us with the name,” she said. “All the outfits he had hanging up in his nursery. She was so organised and so, so excited.”

Lorna said Chelsea was 'born to be a mum' — Lorna said Chelsea was ‘born to be a mum’ Supplied

“It’s helping us a bit because we know exactly what she would have wanted.

“It’s just heartbreaking to know she’s done all that and to know she will never get to meet him. It’s helping us a wee bit because we know exactly what she would have wanted.”

Chelsea had also been closely involved in the lives of her two young nephews.

“She’s always asking to see them, always asking to have them or help us, so we know what kind of mum she would be,” Lorna added.

“She was born to be a mum.”

Chelsea had reached full term when her waters broke, and she went to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The 31-year-old was assessed and was initially allowed to return home.

Her labour then became more intense, and she returned to the hospital with Jack and her mum at around 7pm.

When she was moved to the bed, Lorna said that she “just crashed”.

“She was just there one minute, and not the next,” Lorna said. “All we know is that at that point her heart stopped, and they had to conduct CPR. It’s undetermined.

“Her mum said it was just like it was instant. Which brings a bit of comfort because there was no suffering.”

Chelsea’s heart stopped, and medical staff immediately began CPR, but they were unable to save her.

Tommy was delivered safely and was taken to the neonatal intensive care for monitoring.

“The medical team acted instantly, and saved Tommy’s life,” she said.

“They did everything they could and tried, so, so hard.”

Tommy was delivered safely despite the death of his mother Lorna McGillivray via Supplied

‘Tommy is the light’

While the grief remains overwhelming, Lorna said Tommy has given the family something to focus on.

“I think Tommy is just the light in all of this”, she added. “Although we are going through this horrific loss, we need to celebrate him.

“She would have hated the thought that his birth was tainted by sadness.

“We have to take the pictures and do all the things she would of wanted because he’ll want to see that when he grows up.”

The family set up a fundraising page to ease the financial pressure on Jack while he takes time to look after his son and grieve.

A fundraiser has been launched to help Tommy's dad, Jack — A fundraiser has been launched to help Tommy’s dad, Jack Lorna McGillivray via Supplied

Nearly £100,000 has been raised, and Lorna said the support had meant a huge amount to the family.

“Jack is amazing. I don’t know how he’s coping with this, being a new dad, and losing the person he was supposed to start this life with.

“We decided to start a GoFundMe for him just to take the pressure off. Jack is self-employed, the last thing he needs to worry about right now is when he goes back to work, how he’s going to pay for a house, because obviously, Chelsea was the one taking maternity leave.

“I wish she could have seen how much people loved her. We just really want to thank every single person who has contributed to that. They don’t know the difference they’ve made.”

An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “Our heartfelt condolences are with Chelsea’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

You can donate to the fundraiser here.