A Scots mum has told how doctors warned she 'might bleed out' during an emergency C-section to save her IVF baby in lockdown.
Erin Knox, 34, was eight months pregnant when doctors scheduled a C-section amid fears her baby would not survive birth - and Erin herself could die during delivery.
During her pregnancy mum Erin was diagnosed with Placenta Pervia, a condition where the placenta covers the cervix, causing bleeding throughout pregnancy and can be fatal for mum and baby.
The terrified expectant mum was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital alone at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, when restrictions on hospital visitors prevented her husband from accompanying her.
Warned that there was a risk for both mother and baby, Derrick, 35, was allowed in the room while the C-section took place.
Erin said: "When I went into hospital I had to go alone. It was a very lonely and scary time.
"Derrick was only allowed in for the C-section and not before it.
"Laying on that table was terrifying knowing that I could bleed out and might not survive. I was so scared."
Erin and Derrick had their first baby Jack, now three, after rounds of IVF.
The NHS offers couples two free rounds of IVF but if they are not successful they must pay £5,500 for every attempted to get pregnant after that.
The Irvine couple decided to try for a second baby through IVF again and were overjoyed when they managed to fall pregnant first time.
Erin said: "Once we decided we wanted a brother or sister for Jack we saved long and hard for more IVF. It's quite an emotional journey, but this time we were so happy because it happened the first time."
The emergency C-section was a success and baby Emily arrived safely on July 2, weighing 6lbs 9.5oz.
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But the doting parents would only get an hour with their baby girl before doctors noticed she was struggling to breathe.
Little Emily was rushed to Crosshouse Hospital's High Dependency Unit and placed on oxygen.
Medics then discovered the newborn had a bulge on her intestines and began treating her for sepsis.
Terrified their second miracle baby might not make it, Erin and Derrick kept a bedside vigil.
Erin said: "That was a very, very scary time.
"Because she was in high dependency it meant we were both able to stay with her so we were thankful for that, because lockdown was only just coming to an end and hospital restrictions were still really strict."
After six days of battling for life, the tot was finally allowed home with her parents, but Erin says the experience was traumatising.
She said: "It was such a traumatic thing to go through, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We know we are fortunate thought because Emily is fine and healthy and it's all thanks to the amazing NHS staff. We are definitely one of the lucky ones."
