Where are they now? Anthea’s close call

Childbirth is rarely easy. But for Anthea, it was traumatic.

In fact, she doesn’t remember much from that time in her life, 11 years ago.

“You go into hospital to have a baby. You don’t think you’re going to end up in a coma and on life support.”

When Anthea gave birth to Vivienne, she started haemorrhaging. Nobody knew it then, but she had an undiagnosed medical condition, where her placenta had attached itself too deeply to the uterus.

Her medical team called a code blue and, among the beeping machines, hurried doctors and panic in the air, Anthea lost nearly half her body’s blood volume and was put into a coma.

It took a massive 16 units of blood products including red cells, plasma and platelets to help her recover.

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When we first met, Vivienne was just four years old, and it was still hard for Anthea to talk about what had happened.

“It saved my life.”

Looking back now, Anthea doesn’t remember having her daughter. But, she’s grateful for every day she gets to spend with her now.

“She’s a performing arts student,” she tells us, proudly, “she’s happy and healthy and thriving,”

So, what’s life like now?

As more and more time passes, Anthea feels more comfortable talking about what happened. She’s even explained it to Vivienne.

“Awareness is important. Should she ever wish to have a child, she needs to be aware that this could be something that could happen. We just don’t know enough about it.”

Knowing her daughter may need it one day is just one of the reasons Anthea’s gone back to giving blood. She also wants to pay back the blood she used — or rather, pay it forward.

“You never know who is close to you who might need it or even future family members.”

That day, Vivienne’s life started, and Anthea’s changed forever. Receiving blood donations doesn’t just change one day in someone’s life. It changes every day.

Book a blood donation today to help someone like Anthea.