This holiday season, BC Women’s Health Foundation is celebrating transformative moments created by the world-class care that patients across all stages of life have experienced at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. Their stories embody the strength, resilience and hope across a diverse spectrum of experiences that were shaped at BC Women’s.
“The moment my ultrasound appointment discovered a rare pregnancy complication.”
– Laura Robertson, BC Women’s Maternal Fetal Medicine patient and NICU parent
In September of 2021, first-time parents Laura and Struan arrived at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre (BCWH) for their routine 20-week ultrasound, filled with excitement at seeing their baby boy for the first time. “Michaela, our ultrasound technician, spotted something irregular, some extra blood flow, and asked to do a second, transvaginal ultrasound,” Laura recalled.
The second ultrasound confirmed a condition called vasa previa, where blood vessels connecting the umbilical cord to the placenta are running too close to the entrance to the birth canal. When this happens, these blood vessels can rupture, putting the unborn baby at serious risk. Fetal mortality rates for undiagnosed vasa previa can be as high as 50 per cent, but once diagnosed, that rate can drop to as low as three per cent with careful medical care and management, said Laura.
Laura was referred to BCWH obstetrician Dr. Janet Lyons, who explained the condition and that she would need to have a C-section to deliver her baby. She was also put on close watch, receiving regular ultrasounds to check on her condition as the baby grew. At 31 weeks, Laura was admitted to the Antepartum unit at BCWH for close monitoring. “Even though we lived close to the hospital, they wanted me to be there in case something happened.”
“We received the most incredible care and attention from BC Women’s,” said Laura. “I wasn’t scared, because I knew we were in the best place, surrounded by really good doctors and nurses and that if anything was going to go wrong, I was in the safest place I could be. I felt so lucky to be at BC Women’s. We were so grateful for that.”
In her 35th week, Laura underwent a C-section and she and Struan welcomed their son William in March 2022. “He came out crying, which was such a good feeling. But the team quickly discovered he was struggling to breathe, so William was put on a CPAP machine and immediately the NICU team stepped in to care for him and transfer him to the BC Women’s NICU.”.
While Laura recovered, Struan stayed with William in the NICU, where the team provided dedicated care and support. “The nurses were so supportive of Struan, and then to the both of us, while caring for William. Their dedication meant so much to us.”
Within a few days, Laura was recovered enough to be with William, who came off CPAP and the feeding tube he had been using to receive a combination of Laura’s breastmilk and donor breastmilk, and was breastfeeding. “We were nervous as new parents with all this happening, but we felt very confident and appreciative that we were in a great place receiving the best care for William.”
Today, William is a very healthy 2-year-old and a big brother. Early ultrasounds showed that there were no complications during Laura’s pregnancy with their second baby, Isabelle, born in July 2024.
“Without the ultrasound technology, we might never have known about vasa previa, and William might not be here today,” stresses Laura. “We are so grateful to donors who ensure families like ours have access to the latest, state-of-the-art technology. It’s because of our community’s incredibly generous philanthropy that we are now a family of four.”
Join us in our mission to create a healthier future and more life-changing moments for women, newborns and families in BC. Please donate now to BC Women’s Health Foundation’s BC Women’s Moments campaign, supporting the purchase of essential ultrasound technology for every stage of women’s lives.
