“Medical trial helped bring us our miracle baby” – Croydon mum speaks out after previous stillbirth agony

A mother has spoken about how a medical trial helped her give birth to her “miracle baby”.

Little Poppy Gurden was born after mum, Hayley, 30, of London Road, Croydon, took part in the clinical research study which monitored her blood pressure at home.

The tests were crucial after her first son, Freddy, was stillborn at 30 weeks at Croydon University Hospital in July 2018.

The Blood Pressure Monitoring in Pregnancy (BUMP) study, run by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), monitored the risk for pregnant women with high blood pressure from pre-eclampsia – which can damage the liver, kidney and lungs, and even kill the baby.

Patients could self-test their own blood pressure, via an app at home or in hospital.

There were 2,943 babies who were stillborn in the UK in 2018, and around 60 per cent of stillbirths are unexplained.

Hayley, who worked as a wedding and entertainment coordinator before leaving her job to take care of her daughter, said the support she received from Croydon Health Services NHS Trust reduced the stress and anxiety.

She said: “My partner, Andy, and I are still in disbelief. I never believed I’d become a mum after losing Freddy. Poppy is our little miracle.

“I was suffering with anxiety throughout the pregnancy, and after we hit the 30-week mark I felt like we were living on borrowed time.

“I was keen to deliver my daughter as soon as it was safe to do so.
“It was awful to lose Freddy and at the time it led to me reducing my working hours as I was finding the situation really hard.

“I really want to thank the maternity team at Croydon University Hospital for the wonderful care they gave to me, Andy, Freddy and Poppy.

“Being able to take and monitor my own blood pressure through the app was really empowering, as before I had not felt in control of any aspect of my life.

“Keeping track of my own blood pressure was a way I could have a small, positive impact on mine and Poppy’s future.

“When Poppy is older we will be taking her to Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve every July to remember Freddy.

“Poppy is doing really well. She is a little joy to be around. Andy and I are both loving her being here and we have spent hours just staring at her.

“I’d encourage people to take part in research as my experience on the trial has given me the confidence to consider having another baby in the future.

“The results of this research may help to prevent another family from going through what we did.”

Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Bini Ajay, who is principal investigator on the BUMP trial, said: “BUMP has helped to empower women by engaging and putting them in control of their care.

“Blood pressure results can help us to identify any potential risks early on in pregnancy which can change the lives of families.

“I’m very happy for Hayley, Andy and Poppy and feel proud that we have helped them. I hope the results of this trial will go on to deliver benefits for many more women.”

The BUMP study was sponsored by the University of Oxford and the funder was the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility. It was supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network South London.

Pictured top: Hayley Gurden with her partner, Andy, and baby Poppy