A mum who lost her baby girl after contracting Covid late into her pregnancy is urging other mums-to-be to get vaccinated, to protect themselves and their babies.
Toni Dennan, 31, was seven months pregnant in 2020 when she caught the virus and became very unwell.
As Covid vaccines were unavailable for people in her younger age bracket, she did not have any protection against the virus.
Toni, who lives near Chester with her husband Lee, went into hospital for monitoring and when the situation became more critical she was rushed into theatre for a c-section.
Tragically, little Darcey Dennan was stillborn on December 28, 2020, and Toni was discharged from hospital without her little girl three days later.
Tests later revealed Covid-19 had destroyed the placenta, The Liverpool Echo reports.
Now Toni and Lee have filmed a powerful video talking about their experience and want to warn people of how dangerous Covid-19 can be for pregnant women and their babies.
They want to encourage other women to make sure they get vaccinated to protect themselves and their babies.
Toni said: "About three days after getting Covid I went downhill very quickly.
"I had acid skin, I was tired, I could barely walk. I just felt really, really, ill.
"And with that the baby’s movements were reduced. It was a full-on emergency.
"But unfortunately it was too late by that point, and Darcey didn’t make it.”
She added: “I didn’t think Covid could do what it’s done. “I don’t think people realise the risk of getting any kind of virus or illness in pregnancy as it totally changes your body.
"I don’t smoke, I don’t really drink, I exercise regularly and on paper I should have been absolutely fine.
"But after surgery it nearly killed me, and it took our baby."
Lee, 37, said: “I went into hospital that day expecting to meet my daughter and see my wife.
"The reality was my daughter wasn’t there and Toni was really struggling at that point. It was really scary, and the toughest part of my life so far.”
By late spring 2021, vaccines were being offered to younger people and both Toni and Lee got fully vaccinated.
They then decided the time was right to try for another baby, and in February 2022 the couple’s’ second daughter, Nancy, was born.
Toni said: “I wouldn’t have gone into another pregnancy without a vaccine. Nancy is a healthy, happy little girl and that’s all that matters.”
Dr Rita Arya Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals and Associate Director of Women’s Health and Maternity, said: “It doesn’t matter how young and fit you are, as soon as you are pregnant you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19.
"And if you catch it in later pregnancy your baby is at risk too. In most cases women recover, but we are aware of women being admitted to intensive care, missing the first months of their child’s life.
"And, sadly, there have been deaths of both mothers and babies.”
Since March 2020, 3371 pregnant women have been admitted to hospitals across the UK with symptomatic Covid-19.
Of the 742 women admitted since February 2021, only four had received a single dose of vaccine and none had received both doses.
Therefore, more than 99% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptomatic Covid-19 are unvaccinated.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, GP Associate Medical Director for Cheshire and Merseyside ICS, said: “Now the vaccine is fully available and proven to be safe, tragedies like Toni and Lee’s are preventable. I would urge any women who is planning a baby, or is currently pregnant, to get it.
“Please speak to your midwife who will answer any questions you have. You can go straight to NHS.uk to book your vaccine (or find a local walk-in vaccination centre) and get you and your baby protected.”
Toni said: “It’s just not worth the risk of not holding your baby in your arms for a vaccine that could potentially save you from that pain.
"I would urge every pregnant mother to get the vaccine and not run the risk of not having your baby in your arms like we have.”
Lee added: “The fear of losing your wife and knowing you’ve lost your child is something that I will live with forever. I would absolutely encourage everybody to be vaccinated to protect the people that you love.”
