A mother who experienced significant blood loss during her daughter’s delivery is expressing gratitude towards the exceptional medical team that saved both her and her baby’s lives.
Harriet Paget, a resident of Farnham, Surrey and a mother of three, faced a rare and life-threatening pregnancy complication known as placenta accreta. This condition, where the placenta grows excessively deep into the womb, posed a severe risk during Harriet’s 30-week pregnancy. The situation escalated, requiring her hospitalization as the placenta had penetrated the uterine wall, making childbirth perilous.
Under the care of the expert accreta team, led by Consultant in Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine Ana Pinas at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, Harriet underwent a planned c-section in May 2024. The delivery resulted in Harriet losing a staggering 13 liters of blood, a significant amount compared to the average 4.5 liters in a woman’s body. The medical team swiftly intervened, executing life-saving measures that ensured both Harriet and her daughter’s survival.
Following the birth, Harriet’s daughter required immediate respiratory assistance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, while Harriet herself was admitted to intensive care. Remarkably, they both recovered and were discharged eight days later.
Expressing her profound appreciation for the care received, Harriet emphasized the importance of feeling reassured and supported, especially during vulnerable moments. She praised the healthcare professionals at St George’s for their dedicated and compassionate service, highlighting the sacrifices made by NHS workers.
Harriet’s acknowledgment of the exceptional care extended to her and her daughter led her to name her child after Consultant Ana Pinas, a gesture of gratitude for the lifesaving efforts. Furthermore, Harriet’s admiration for the healthcare workers prompted her to participate in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, raising over £5,000 for the St George’s Hospital charity.
Encouraging others to recognize outstanding healthcare professionals, Harriet urged nominations for the gesh CARE Awards, an initiative honoring clinical and support staff at St George’s, Epsom, and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group. The awards seek to celebrate the unwavering commitment and exceptional care provided by healthcare heroes.
Kate Slemeck, the managing director of St George’s Hospital, emphasized the importance of patient feedback in acknowledging the exceptional care delivered by the hospital’s staff. She commended the dedication shown by the clinical and support teams in ensuring the well-being of patients like Harriet and her daughter.
Davina Metters, Director of Fundraising and Communications at St George’s Hospital Charity, lauded Harriet’s inspiring initiative to give back to the hospital that had saved her life through her fundraising efforts.
To nominate deserving healthcare professionals for the gesh CARE Awards, individuals are encouraged to submit their entries by Wednesday, October 8, using the provided link.