A mum who lost 13 litres of blood during her daughter’s birth due to a rare condition is running a half marathon to raise money for the hospital that saved her life.
Harriet Paget, 35, from Farnham was placed under the care of Ana Pinas and Chorouk Boureq at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, after she was diagnosed with placenta accreta while expecting her third baby.
The rare and serious condition causes the placenta to grow to deeply into the womb. In Harriet’s case, the placenta had passed through the uterine wall, making delivery life-threatening.
The specialist accreta team, led by Ms Pinas, ensured Harriet received expert care and preparation for what would be a complex and critical delivery.
In May 2024, Harriet’s daughter was born via C-section while she was under general anaesthetic.
Her baby needed immediate breathing support and was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), while the focus turned to saving Harriet’s life.
During surgery, she suffered massive blood loss, with the team performing life-saving procedures to keep her alive.
When Harriet awoke in the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU), the first thing she learned was that her baby had arrived safely before giving her the middle name ‘Ana’.
Harriet said: “One day, we will tell my daughter why she has the privilege of sharing her middle name with Ana Pinas, who worked so hard to make sure her mummy would be part of her life.
“The names and faces of that team will forever be remembered in our family.”
Ms Pinas said: “Harriet was one of our most challenging cases to date and the proof that good teamwork is the key to safe and excellent care for our patients.
“I will never forget the feeling when I saw her awake and well in ITU only 24 hours after we were concerned about her life. It is an honour to have her little girl named after me, they will always have a special place in my heart”
During her recovery, Harriet was cared for by a team of midwives, anaesthetists, neonatal nurses, and support staff at St George’s who helped her through one of the most difficult times of her life.
The kindness of everyone, from doctors to catering staff, left a lasting impact and now Harriet wants to thank them by taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon to raise money for St George’s Hospital charity.
Harriet hopes to support the hospital’s staff, recognising the relentless dedication of midwives, maternity support workers, neonatal nurses, and so many others who played a role in her care.
She said: “I owe my life to St George’s. Without their skill and dedication, I wouldn’t be here. Running this race is my way of saying thank you and giving back to the hospital that cared for me so incredibly.”
Harriet has been gearing up for the challenge my training in the Surrey Hills three to four times a week, often with her daughter in a running buggy.
She is looking forward to race day, where her children will be cheering her on. To support her fundraising, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/harriet-paget- 1736259906354