'I would have died' (From Penarth Times)

'I would have died'

A PENARTH woman, who nearly died on the operating table, says she owes her life to Llandough Hospital maternity dep-artment - the way it is run now.

Caroline Youde, aged 34, insists she would not be alive today if there had not been a team of highly-trained specialists on hand after she gave birth to her still-born son in October 2001.

And she fears for women who suffer unexpected complications at the hospital once plans for a new midwife-led unit are in place.

The Britten Road resident said: "Women dying in childbirth is generally thought to be a medieval complaint - but it almost happened to me.

"On October 3, 2001, my husband, David, and I received the worst news possible as first-time parents.

"Our son had died, two days before he was due to be born. There was no reason, his heart just stopped.

"We were at Llandough and the staff were so supportive.

"The following morning I was induced and at 9.20pm our baby Joseph was born, a whopping 8lb 6oz, so big I had to have an episiotomy (a cut to enable easier delivery of the baby).

"It was while the doctor was stitching me that she realised something was wrong. She didn't like the look of the blood supply to the cut and asked for my blood pressure to be taken.

"They could hardly get a reading. I was suffering a catastrophic haemorrhage and was bleeding internally.

"I remember everything, from doctors rushing in, to me being transferred to theatre at running speed while I was encouraged to stay awake.

"This journey took minutes, if that, and I could hardly keep my eyes open. I was put to sleep while my husband suffered a seven-hour wait while a team of five consultants, two anaesthetists and a team of nurses - 18 staff in total - all battled for my life."

Mrs Youde woke in intensive care the following morning, having received 48 units of blood and blood products.

"To survive I was given a hysterectomy," she said.

"Hard news to take when you are only 31 and have just lost your first baby.

"Again, without the support of the midwives and doctors we wouldn't have got through it."

She fears for women who give birth in the new unit, should they suffer complications, as there will be no emergency medical staff on hand to deal with them.

"When I read the journey to UHW can be covered in 15 minutes I wondered whether I'd have made it," said Mrs Youde.

"I don't think so - I barely made the operating theatre just a few metres away.

"And what of the realisation that I was dying?