Roy Suryo
The family of a vibrant first-time mother who tragically died in childbirth are finding solace in her newborn son, describing him as the "light" guiding them through their profound grief. Chelsea McGillivray, 31, from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, suffered an unforeseen cardiac event during labour last Monday, just as her much-anticipated pregnancy was reaching its conclusion. Despite receiving immediate CPR from medical professionals at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, doctors were unable to revive her.
Her son, Tommy, born healthy on August 24th, was initially monitored in the neonatal intensive care unit following the traumatic birth. He has since been discharged and is now home with his devastated father, Jack. "I don’t think it has hit us yet, it doesn’t feel real," Chelsea’s sister-in-law, Lorna McGillivray, shared with BBC Radio Scotland’s Drivetime programme. "We will be laughing and telling stories one minute then we’re breaking down the next – so it’s a rollercoaster at the moment. We are all rallying around as much as we can and trying to navigate this new reality with baby Tommy here and Chelsea not."
Chelsea’s pregnancy had been described as textbook, with no prior indications of any health concerns. Her waters broke as she reached full term, prompting her arrival at the hospital. After an initial assessment, she was advised to return home. However, her contractions soon intensified, and Chelsea, accompanied by her partner Jack and her mother, returned to the hospital, where it was confirmed she was in active labour.
"She was in labour pain but she was still in good spirits and cracking jokes," Lorna recalled. However, the mood shifted dramatically when Chelsea was moved to the delivery bed. "She just crashed," Lorna recounted, describing how the midwife immediately raised the alarm and emergency teams began CPR. Initially, medical staff believed she might be experiencing panic or struggling to breathe. "She was talking one minute then the next, she wasn’t." All of Chelsea’s prenatal tests had been normal, and the family emphasized that she had no known underlying health conditions. "She wasn’t unwell – there were no signs of this," Lorna added.
Despite the unimaginable tragedy, doctors successfully delivered Tommy safely. He is now thriving and "doing amazing," according to Lorna. "He’s just perfect and he is the light that is keeping us going through all of this," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and pride. "We’re still trying to celebrate him being here even though we are going through the hardest time of our life because that is what Chelsea would want."
Chelsea had been incredibly excited to become a mother, meticulously planning every detail, from the baby shower and gender reveal to personalised decor for Tommy’s arrival. Lorna fondly remembered Chelsea’s deep affection for her own two young sons, Chelsea’s nephews. "She doted on my two boys – her nephews," she said. "She was almost at full-term pregnancy and she was determined to take them to the park for a picnic, running about after them and playing." Chelsea’s vibrant personality was a defining characteristic; she possessed an "infectious laugh" and was the "life and soul of everywhere," always enjoying being around people.
Jack, now a single father, is determined to honour his partner’s memory and continue with the plans Chelsea had made. Chelsea had already booked a newborn photoshoot for Tommy, and Jack intends to go ahead with it, ensuring her vision is realized. "Nobody should have to go through losing the most important person in their life while she was bringing their baby into the world," Lorna stated, her voice heavy with emotion. "Jack’s obviously devastated but he is stepping up to what he needs to. We’re all so proud of him and he’s hooked to fatherhood like we all expected and knew he would be."
To support Jack during this incredibly challenging period, the family established a fundraiser. As he is self-employed, the money will allow him to take time off work to grieve and bond with Tommy without the added pressure of financial worries. The fundraiser has already surpassed £85,000. "He needs to spend time with Tommy and grieve without worrying about finances," Lorna explained. "It will never bring Chelsea back or take away the pain but it takes the pressure off. I keep saying to him: ‘You don’t need to look at it as money, just look at it as time. It gives you more time.’"
In moments of sadness, Lorna finds comfort in remembering Chelsea’s "big smile and dimples" and her "infectious laugh." She emphasized Chelsea’s courage and strength, noting, "Chelsea wasn’t scared, she wouldn’t have known this was going to happen and she held on long enough to get baby Tommy here." The family’s core message is one of resilience and love: "She would want us to celebrate him and not let the grief consume us."
A spokesperson for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde offered their deepest sympathies: "Our heartfelt condolences are with Chelsea’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time." The family continues to navigate their profound loss, drawing strength from the precious new life that Chelsea brought into the world, a constant reminder of the love and joy she embodied.
George Anjay
Nakalama John
atisusanti
Ramos Leo