Image source, McGillivray familyImage caption, Chelsea McGillivray, 31, suffered an unknown cardiac event during labour
ByClaire ThomsonBBC Scotland- Published8 minutes ago
The family of a first-time mum who died in childbirth say her newborn son is the "light" that's keeping them going through their grief.
Chelsea McGillivray suffered an unknown cardiac event during labour last Monday after what was believed to be a textbook pregnancy.
The 31-year-old, from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, received CPR but doctors were unable to resuscitate her.
Her son Tommy was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit where he was monitored after the traumatic birth, but got home healthy two days later.
"I don't think it has hit us yet, it doesn't feel real," Chelsea's sister-in-law Lorna McGillivray told 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."
Image source, McGillivray FamilyImage caption, Tommy was born on 24 August at the QEUH in Glasgow
Chelsea's pregnancy was at full term when her waters broke and she went to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
She was checked over and told to go home.
Lorna, who is married to Chelsea's brother Steven, said her contractions then came on quickly.
Chelsea went back to the hospital ward with her partner Jack and her mum, where it was confirmed she was in labour.
"She was in labour pain but she was still in good spirits and cracking jokes," Lorna said.
But she said when Chelsea was moved to the bed ready to give birth, she "crashed".
The midwife raised the alarm and emergency teams began CPR immediately.
Lorna said: "They thought she was maybe panicking and couldn't catch her breath.
"She was talking one minute then the next, she wasn't."
All of Chelsea's prenatal tests had been normal and the family said she had no underlying health conditions.
"She wasn't unwell - there were no signs of this," Lorna added.
Image source, McGillivray FamilyImage caption, Chelsea's sister-in-law Lorna described Tommy as "perfect"
Doctors managed to deliver Tommy safely and he is now at home with dad, Jack.
"Tommy is doing amazing," Lorna said.
"He's just perfect and he is the light that is keeping us going through all of this.
"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."
Image source, McGillivray FamilyImage caption, Chelsea's family said she could not wait to be a mum
Lorna said Chelsea was looking forward to being a mum. She had organised everything from the baby shower and gender reveal to personalised decor for when Tommy arrived.
"We knew what kind of mum she would be because 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.
"She had this infectious laugh, she was the life and soul of everywhere and she just loved being around people."
Image source, McGillivray FamilyImage caption, Lorna said Jack was "devastated" to have lost his partner but has taken to fatherhood well
Tommy's dad Jack now plans to honour his partner's memory and continue to do what she would have wanted.
Chelsea had booked a new-born photoshoot for when the baby was born and Jack still intends to take Tommy.
"Nobody should have to go through losing the most important person in their life while she was bringing their baby into the world," Lorna said.
"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."
The family have set up a fundraiser so Jack, who is self-employed, does not have to worry about money while taking time off work.
It has raised more than £85,000.
Lorna said: "He needs to spend time with Tommy and grieve without worrying about finances.
"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.'"
Image source, McGillivray FamilyImage caption, Lorna described Chelsea's "big smile and dimples" and her "infectious laugh"
Lorna said she thinks about Chelsea's "big smile and dimples" in moments of sadness.
"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," she added.
"She would want us to celebrate him and not let the grief consume us."
A NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: "Our heartfelt condolences are with Chelsea's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
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