Keira’s story
Kiera was born on 4 May 2020 after an uneventful textbook pregnancy. We never could have imagined that she would not make it through her first night.
A little Chi-rish miracle
The moment I found out I was pregnant with Kiera is one that I will never forget. It was the 21 August 2019. It was such a surprise, and not because we weren’t trying, but because we had been trying for what felt like an eternity. For the following 36 or so weeks we talked and dreamed about what this little Chi-rish (Chinese-Irish) miracle was going to look like, act like, and just be like. We practiced yelling out her name to get her attention, or to send her to her room.
We picked out clothes, a pram and countless other items that we thought she would need. Without having anything to compare it to, the pregnancy was a breeze as far as pregnancies go. Beyond the first few weeks of nausea, I was just blissfully putting on the pounds, feeling and watching her grow before our eyes. Each time we had a scan, test or swab, the results always came back with no issues.
We were told that everything was on track, she was perfect and she’d be with us in no time. When her due date came and went, there was no concern as we were told, and I had read that ‘many firstborns come late’. At our 40-week appointment with our Obstetrician, we scheduled an induction for 40 weeks and 6 days.
We did it. She’s here. She’s perfect. It was absolute bliss. We could not have imagined what the next few hours would bring.
A chunky perfectly pink baby girl is born
On 3 May 2020 at around 5pm, we loaded up the car and made our way to the hospital with great anticipation of what the next 48 hours was going to bring. We showed our families overseas what the birthing suite looked like, telling them that our baby was going to be born in this room tomorrow!
There was excitement felt across the oceans that night. When the midwives checked me that night, I was told that I had already progressed a bit on my own, and would not require any gels or induction medication that night.
Try to get a good night’s rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day!
“Try to get a good night’s rest, tomorrow is going to be a big day!”, we were told. With that anticipation, we tried to turn in early and get some rest. The induction started early on Monday morning, the 4th of May. In honour of the date, she was this close to being named Leia. But we decided we couldn’t do that to her. After a routine induction that included an epidural, Kiera was born at 4:37pm.
She let out a little whimper as she was placed on my chest, her big chubby cheeks taking all the attention. She squirmed and wriggled as she was then taken to be cleaned up, pinched and prodded and given a bit of oxygen. “Some babies just need a bit of oxygen as they adjust to life outside the womb. Nothing to worry about” we were told. We were told she would need to be taken to the Special Care unit for some oxygen and then brought right back to us.
We did it. She’s here. She’s perfect. It was absolute bliss. We could not have imagined what the next few hours would bring.
It had never occurred to me that we might not be taking our girl home.
The unimaginable became our reality in five short hours
Kiera spent the next five hours in Special Care. In the first hour or so, the update from the doctors was that there was nothing to worry about and she just needed some oxygen. That there was absolutely nothing to worry about. Another hour or so later, we were told that she would need to be transported to a NICU nearby. Arrangements were being made for her dad to travel with her, and I would follow on when I was able.
Ultimately, she wasn’t able to catch her breath and no one could figure out why. Blood tests, antibiotics, x-rays, oxygen, intubation, echogram – all done multiple times and without answers. Eventually her heart couldn’t handle it anymore and began to give out. She never stabilised enough to be transferred to a NICU. After being resuscitated for some time, the doctors had to tell us the most unthinkable news – she wasn’t going to make it. It had never occurred to me that we might not be taking our girl home.
At this exact moment, we met a Social Worker, who would later become our Aussie mum, who brought us to see our daughter. The first time I saw her since she was born. We held her hand for as long as they would allow. And then she was gone. How did this happen?
We are on a mission to raise awareness and hopefully affect changes to the way GBS is treated in pregnancy.
The shock autopsy results
In the days and weeks that followed, we learned that Kiera died of Group B Streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a common bacteria that lives in most adults. In pregnant women, it is said to be present in about 1 in 5. I had done the routine swab at 36 weeks – the result was negative. It was in this moment that I learned that GBS is transient, it can come and go.
The doctors around us were just as shocked that this was the outcome. Not only did I get a negative result at my swab, but my labour and induction did not present any signs of infection. When Kiera was born, she did not present with any signs of infection.
Finding hope by building a legacy
There have been a lot of unanswered questions and a realisation that there is lack of education and awareness about GBS in pregnancy. Now, through Kiera, we are on a mission to raise awareness and hopefully affect changes to the way GBS is treated in pregnancy.
When we were planning Kiera’s funeral, we knew that our overseas family and friends would want to send flowers. We asked that instead, they donate to a GoFundMe that we set up. We intended to donate any money raised to charity. Amazingly, we raised over $33,000. With this amount of money, we were able to make some meaningful contributions;
We funded a research study with a Professor / Obstetrician. The aim of our study is to prove the rate of infection in pregnant women in late pregnancy which would form the basis of a large scale clinical trial to evaluate the current screening methods and treatment to see whether it prevents newborn infection. The project kicked off in July 2020 and is anticipated to be complete within 12 months.
We worked with the Hospital CEO where Kiera was born to fund a garden upgrade on site where we were able to take Kiera after she had died so that she could feel the sun on her face. We held a small opening ceremony in this garden on 15 October 2020 in honour of Infant Loss Awareness Day
The remaining funds were donated to the Stillbirth Foundation, Sands, Red Nose and Heartfelt to support all the important work they do for bereaved families.