The best friend of a young mum who nearly lost her life shortly after giving birth is raising money for the hospital that saved her friend’s life.
Francesca Dudley, 23, is one of only a handful of mums in the world to be diagnosed with a rare medical condition, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, which causes heart failure, and is triggered by pregnancy.
Just weeks after giving birth to daughter Ava-Rose, now 15 months, Francesca was rushed to hospital gasping for breath.
The young mum of one explained: “Having a new born baby and then being rushed to hospital only to be told I needed a heart transplant was the stuff of nightmares.
“Even now it’s hard to comprehend that becoming a mother for the first time has led me to have a heart transplant.
“I so wanted to be a mum, and after I gave birth to my gorgeous daughter I felt truly blessed.
“But within weeks I was so terribly ill, doctors then broke the unthinkable news that I was suffering from a rare heart muscle weakness caused by pregnancy which can lead to heart failure.
“I was shocked. The whole nine months of the pregnancy and six weeks after giving birth went as smoothly as I could hope, and there were no complications during labour.”
Francesca was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for specialist treatment where she underwent a successful heart transplant that saved her life.
“Getting discharged was a momentous day as at one point I feared I’d be in hospital forever. I just wanted to become a normal mum again.
“I’ve got my life back. They are keeping a watchful eye on me for the next 12 months but I feel I’ve been given a second chance.”
Laura Caird, Francesca’s best friend, has been raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, to thank staff at the hospital for caring so well for Fran.
She said: “I will never be able to repay the hospital for giving me my best friend back and for giving Ava-Rose her mother back.
“I’ve held a few different fundraising events to raise as much money as I can, including a 20 mile charity walk and a baking day. I’ve even persuaded Fran to do a skydive with me!
“I am so thankful Fran is alive and well, and I want to do whatever I can to help other people who might find themselves in her unfortunate situation.”
Fran added: “I know you have to live every day to the fullest, and every time I look at my daughter I feel grateful to know I’ve been given a second chance.”
To support patients like Francesca please donate today by
clicking here, or by calling 0121 371 4852.
The best friend of a young mum who nearly lost her life shortly after giving birth is raising money for the hospital that saved her friend’s life.
Francesca Dudley, 23, is one of only a handful of mums in the world to be diagnosed with a rare medical condition, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, which causes heart failure, and is triggered by pregnancy.
Just weeks after giving birth to daughter Ava-Rose, now 15 months, Francesca was rushed to hospital gasping for breath.
The young mum of one explained: “Having a new born baby and then being rushed to hospital only to be told I needed a heart transplant was the stuff of nightmares.
“Even now it’s hard to comprehend that becoming a mother for the first time has led me to have a heart transplant.
“I so wanted to be a mum, and after I gave birth to my gorgeous daughter I felt truly blessed.
“But within weeks I was so terribly ill, doctors then broke the unthinkable news that I was suffering from a rare heart muscle weakness caused by pregnancy which can lead to heart failure.
“I was shocked. The whole nine months of the pregnancy and six weeks after giving birth went as smoothly as I could hope, and there were no complications during labour.”
Francesca was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for specialist treatment where she underwent a successful heart transplant that saved her life.
“Getting discharged was a momentous day as at one point I feared I’d be in hospital forever. I just wanted to become a normal mum again.
“I’ve got my life back. They are keeping a watchful eye on me for the next 12 months but I feel I’ve been given a second chance.”
Laura Caird, Francesca’s best friend, has been raising money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, to thank staff at the hospital for caring so well for Fran.
She said: “I will never be able to repay the hospital for giving me my best friend back and for giving Ava-Rose her mother back.
“I’ve held a few different fundraising events to raise as much money as I can, including a 20 mile charity walk and a baking day. I’ve even persuaded Fran to do a skydive with me!
“I am so thankful Fran is alive and well, and I want to do whatever I can to help other people who might find themselves in her unfortunate situation.”
Fran added: “I know you have to live every day to the fullest, and every time I look at my daughter I feel grateful to know I’ve been given a second chance.”
To support patients like Francesca please donate today by clicking here, or by calling 0121 371 4852.
