Mum avoids third miscarriage after upside-down treatment

THE SAFE delivery of a healthy baby daughter was the perfect Christmas present for mum Donna Kelly.

The 29-year-old suffered two late miscarriages after son Joshua was born in 2007 and it looked likely she could experience a third earlier this year.

But thanks to pioneering treatment at University Hospital, which specialists order Donna to lie on her back with her head back and legs up for 24-hours a day for three months, baby Amelia was born.

Donna and husband Mark, from Shilton, said they were now planning a big family celebration this Christmas to celebrate Amelia's safe arrival and to remember the two babies they never got to meet.

Despite headaches, nausea and not getting to see much of four-year-old Joshua, Donna told the Observer there was never a moment she felt like giving up hope on the bizarre treatment.

"One more day of treatment equalled one less day of Amelia being in special care after birth, that's the way I had to look at it," she said.

"I had fantastic support from friends and family and all the midwives said I was positive throughout.

"It's left me with a healthy child. Why would I have ever jeopardised that and have Amelia in special care? The risk was so high."

The pregnancy was going well until around 19 weeks when the idea of lying on her back for 24 hours a day was mooted by Professor Siobhan Quenby, a leading expert in recurrent miscarriages.

It was hoped using gravity to move the baby would relieve pressure and prevent another pre-term labour. And it paid off on August 22 when healthy Amelia was born weighing four pounds and 15 ounces.

Donna, herself a former gynaecology nurse, added: "When you've been through what me and my family have been through, you'll try anything and this was our last attempt really.

"Now Joshua's got a sibling he can grow up with and play with. The other day he said 'I love being a big brother' and that makes it all worthwhile.

"It's really weird actually but it feels complete and we're over the moon."

The city's hospital has one of the country's leading maternity services, delivering 6,500 babies every year.

Prof Quenby added: "The team that looked after Donna is delighted with the safe delivery of baby Amelia and we are pleased she is doing well.

"Donna's condition is rare, only occurring in about 0.5 per cent of pregnancies, and while the treatment may sound strange, it is very effective.

"We are undertaking research at University Hospital to replace this with something more pleasant for the patient which doesn’t rely on them staying in hospital."