‘Trail of blood’: mum and bub survive dangerous birth

A Bannockburn mum was preparing for the worst when she found a “trail of blood” eight weeks before her baby’s due date.

At 32 weeks, Alannah Lees suffered a placenta abruption and later had baby Archie by caesarian. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Bannockburn mum was preparing for the worst when she found a “trail of blood” eight weeks before her baby’s due date.

Alannah Lees was at home on July 4, 32 weeks into her relatively complication-free pregnancy, when her two-year-old son had woke up and needed resettling.

She got up about 11pm and was met with a “horrible” sight.

“A big trail of blood followed me from my bed to the bathroom,” she said.

“I think that alone was 500ml of blood loss.”

As a theatre nurse, Ms Lees knew immediately how dangerous the situation was.

“At the back of my mind … I thought there would be a devastating outcome,” she said.

She was suffering a placental abruption, meaning the placenta had detached from the wall of the uterus, and was causing bleeding.

The dangerous condition can vary in severity but can kill both the baby and mother.

Her husband Josh called the paramedics, and they arrived in seven minutes.

“If it wasn’t for them I would be telling a totally different story that would be unimaginable to comprehend,” Ms Lees said.

Advanced Life Support (ASL) paramedic Nicholas Buller and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic Andrew Lyon arrived at the family’s home within minutes.

A Bannockburn local, Mr Lyon said the experience felt close to home.

His wife’s name is also Alannah, spelt the same way, and they live around the corner with their two children who are similar ages to the Lees’ two oldest boys.

“It was close to home for me, geographically and personally,” he said.

Alannah and Josh Lees with newborn Archie and sons Hugh, 5, and Hudson, 2, and the paramedics who came to Alannah's rescue Andrew Lyon and Nicholas Buller. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Lyon said during the time it took to get Ms Lees to theatre the outcome was very unknown.

“It was back to basics Ambulance Victoria – get them in the car and to the hospital as fast as you can,” he said.

Geelong hospital’s maternity unit was ready when they arrived.

“We were all very lucky, magically the stars were able to align,” Mr Lyon said.

“To get into theatre within an hour of her calling was pretty remarkable really.”

Baby Archer Lees was delivered by emergency C-section at 12.24am.

He weighed just 1.8kg.

“Archie” was transferred to hospital in Melbourne where he spent 2½ weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit and then another 2½ weeks at St John of God Geelong Hospital.

“On August 9 we got home,” Ms Lees said.

“We’re doing well, it’s just so beautiful to be back home as a family.

“I’ll be forever grateful for Ambulance Victoria.”

Ms Lees reunited with the paramedics on Monday to express her gratitude.

Originally published as ‘Trail of blood’: mum and bub survive dangerous birth