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Mum beats nerves for second birth
A Lancashire mother who survived a life-threatening brain haemorrhage while giving birth to twins is celebrating the birth of a new baby boy.
Alison Frith, 31, of Frenchwood, Preston, had to have emergency brain surgery after giving birth to Max and Daisy, now 18-months-old, after being struck by the haemorrhage.
Alison survived the ordeal and months later discovered she was pregnant with a new baby.
Alison and partner Lee Carruthers are now celebrating the birth of son Jack, who was born by planned Caesarean section weighing 7lb 7oz.
Alison said she was nervous about the birth after her last harrowing experience.
She was monitored by doctors and nurses at the Royal Preston Hospital and booked in for the Caesarean section to prevent any risk of another brain haemorrhage.
Alison did not suffer another brain haemorrhage, but shortly after having Jack she suffered a post partum haemorrhage, which is excessive bleeding after delivery.
That condition is also potentially life-threatening.
Alison, a nurse in the burns and plastics unit at the Royal Preston Hospital, lost two litres of blood and had to have a transfusion.
She said: "Even though I tried to put on a brave face and look on the positive side, I was worried about giving birth this time.
"The last time I went into hospital to have my babies, I almost died. So I was anxious about what would happen the next time I gave birth.
"It certainly wasn't straightforward with me suffering a post partum haemorrhage.
"I didn't feel well at all and losing so much blood left me feeling very weak.
"But I am feeling better now and Jack is absolutely gorgeous and we are thrilled to bits with him."
Doctors believe Alison's haemorrhage, which occurred while she was in labour with Max and Daisy, was caused by an aneurysm which may have been in her brain for some time.
Alison believes she owes her life to her twins because if the labour had not triggered the haemorrhage while she was in hospital, it could have struck at any time.
A third of patients who suffer the condition outside hospital die before reaching hospital and another third die after hospital admission or develop moderate to severe brain complications.
Lee, 38, said: "I was worried sick when Alison started bleeding heavily after having Jack, especially after the traumatic time we had after she had Max and Daisy.
"I am just glad she is all right and I am really chuffed with our new baby Jack."
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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