Tommy's charity fundraising story 2021
We have taken part in Splashathon since our now 8 year-old was in Water Babies. It's important to us because it raises funds for Tommy's, which in turn helps support those going through the turmoil of baby loss, including their families – as we know it hits the whole family really hard.
In January 2015, we went for our routine 20-week scan whilst pregnant with identical twin boys. We had a feeling they were boys and were hoping to confirm this, but most of all that they were healthy.
I'm always nervous at scans, but once the sonographer had looked and started measuring I relaxed. Then she said the words: "I'm sorry they’re gone." I was in denial. I made her check again and then asked someone else to check. I delivered the two little boys just 3 days later.
What followed was a traumatic time, not only mourning the loss of our babies but also dealing with a number of other issues which came about. Everyone's story is different but, whilst battling the loss of our twins, I felt so lucky to have my first born Ariana to light the way a little.
In July 2015 I found out I was pregnant again, and the whole pregnancy was not enjoyable. I couldn't relax and worried constantly – I could listen to the heartbeat with the midwife one day, and the next I would be worried again!
Kailen was 1 week late and I had to be induced, as my waters were leaking. After an emergency c-section, and being born with the cord around his neck twice, Kailen arrived safely and has brightened our world ever since. He is 5 now! Our Brody arrived in 2019, too.
We always say we had sunshine (Ariana), a storm (Ashton and Blake), our rainbow (Kailen) and the pot of gold (Brody).
