We were expecting our second child and attended the 20-week scan only to be told there was a problem with our baby. In the weeks that followed we attended the National Maternity Hospital and had the news confirmed that our baby had a lethal foetal abnormality. Our world was turned upside down with the news.

We discussed our “options” with the consultant here and our consultant in Waterford. The description of termination in England sounded truly harrowing and my consultant said I was the type of person that wouldn’t handle a termination well. At this stage, my husband was in favour of a termination but said he would support whatever decision I wanted.

My mother always says “where there is life there is hope”. I wanted to give our baby every chance I could, I didn’t want to decide when to end her life. I felt it was in God’s hands. We were assured our baby was not suffering, this was very important in our decision to carry on with the pregnancy.

The weeks and months that followed were very difficult. We were truly in the unknown. We didn’t know if our baby would pass away or would I go into labour early. There was nobody to talk to that had been in this situation before. I had many sleepless nights feeling our baby doing somersaults, living for the next hospital appointment in the hope that there might be something positive.

“Knowing this may be the only time I would see our daughter alive, each scan was precious.”

Our consultant and all the hospital staff in Waterford were magnificent, and really helped us on this awful journey. For all my hospital appointments, I was allowed to attend a morning clinic that was quiet and was always seen as soon as possible. It avoided the horrible situation of sitting with lots of heavily pregnant women.

At each appointment our consultant allowed me to have a scan just so I could see my baby. Knowing this may be the only time I would see our daughter alive, each scan was precious. I was admitted to hospital twice during the pregnancy and was always given my own room which helped me so much to get through each hospital stay. As well as all the wonderful staff who treated our situation with great sensitivity. During this time we got to meet with a paediatric doctor. He explained to us what would happen if we wanted our baby resuscitated. We decided against it, as we felt this would only drag out the inevitable for hours or days.

In the weeks that followed we never gave up hope. The day after my due date I went into labour, our little Molly was alive right to the end, but sadly was born still. The pain of seeing her lifeless body words cannot describe. It was also a special time as we finally got to meet our little girl, she was beautiful and looked perfect. Again the hospital staff were so supportive. We had a blessing in our room with the hospital Chaplin. We got to take her home for the next day and our time with her was very special. Our local priest visited and we had prayers in the house. We had a little service two days later attended by family and close friends.

My husband and I are delighted with our decision to carry Molly to term. Although it was a painful journey we never regretted it. We have treasured memories and times we shared as a family with our beautiful daughter. This was her little lifetime and she will always be our special second child.