Things were going as expected with my mum's pregnancy – she was 25 weeks pregnant and she and my dad were getting excited about their new arrival.
Then, my mum had to get the doctor out to treat her for a water infection. She was told that it was quite normal so she didn't need to worry. Three days later, when Dad came home from work, he found Mum in pain and he knew something wasn't right. When Mum called the hospital to describe her symptoms, they asked her to go in straightaway.
About an hour after they arrived on the maternity unit, a senior consultant came in, sat on the bed and held mum's hand. My parents feared the worst.
"I have some news that will come as a shock", she said. "Maria, you are actually in labour and will probably give birth tonight. Unfortunately, you are only around 25 weeks term, so if your baby survives the birth, it still won't be able to breathe for itself. I’m really sorry but we don’t think your baby will survive."
Mum and Dad were in a daze; they couldn't comprehend what was happening. "How could this be the end?" they thought.