A Dundee mother who lost all four of her quadruplet babies has launched a fundraising campaign for families suffering through stillbirths and neonatal deaths.
Kirstien MacCluskey, 36, conceived with the help of IVF treatment last year, but lost one baby to a miscarriage after just 10 weeks.
When she went into labour 22 weeks into the pregnancy, it emerged her three remaining sons had been attacked by an infection in the womb. Tiny Christopher, Joseph and Andrew didn’t survive two hours.
Had Kirstien, of Ardler, gone into labour eight days later, doctors would have been able to put the triplets on a ventilator.
“I held them until they died,” she said. There was nothing anyone could do for them.”
When she went into premature labour in October. Kirstien knew something was wrong when she was admitted to Ninewells Hospital’s Tulip room where she would not meet mothers who were having healthy babies.
Kirstien and partner Chris Doig, 30, are still in the dark about the infection that attacked their babies.
“I went into labour too early,” said Kirstien. “A really bad infection had developed we still don’t know what it was.
“Christopher, was stillborn. The infection had attacked him. Joseph and Andrew died approximately two hours after they were delivered, but had they survived they would have had lots of problems.”
Kirstien went back to see her babies the next day, as she thought it important to hold on to memories.
“I’d rather have more than I do. I just have their hospital bracelets, their blanket things like that,” she said.
Kirstien also has a seven-year-old son, Callum, and added: “I’d give anything for the babies to be here, but I can’t wallow in self-pity. Life has to go on.”
Kirstien and Chris opted for IVF treatment as her only fallopian tube was damaged after an ectopic pregnancy. She had two embryos put back and was shocked to learn she was having quads.
“The doctors told me not to expect to go past 27 weeks, so we were all prepared for it to be early, just not that early,” she added. “The midwives were wonderful. They got upset as much as we did.”
Kirstien is determined not to give up and is starting a fresh round of IVF next month. She and her friends are organising a variety of sponsored events and have set up a just giving page.
The money raised will go to SANDS, the stillbirths and neonatal deaths charity. Kirstien hopes to run raffles and tombolas, as well as attract business support as the campaign continues.
“It will be an ongoing campaign. In the future I hope we cangive to Ninewells Hospital as well,” she added.
To participate in Kirstien’s campaign, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/SomethingInsideSoStrong.