One mother who believed that having children after such a horrible crash would prove impossible gave birth to a miracle child just before Christmas.
Charlotte McCarthy, from Baxenden, was hit by a truck along with her parents and partner, Jak Metcalfe, in 2018 LancsLive reports, which left the whole family with life-threatening injuries.
Jak had a 50 percent chance of survival. Charlotte, however, was informed that Charlotte’s arterial injury was less than one millimetre.
When a truck hit their vehicle, the group was out on a family trip to celebrate Charlotte’s graduation.
Charlotte McCarthy (Hastingden) and Jak, her fiancé, leave hospital after an accident on Grane Road.
Baby Cara spent the first few days in hospital due to weight gain and jaundice. It was not doing well at home.
Jak, who had fled from the wreckage but tried to save Charlotte, but his pelvic injuries and bravery stopped him. The firefighters later released them.
Two months later, the couple got engaged and plan to wed in 2022.
Charlotte feared that her previous injuries to her abdomen would prevent her from ever having children but three years on, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl on December 1st, and named her Cara Anne Metcalfe.
We were worried about our inability to have children because of her injuries, and it is still a worry. She has been a miracle. Charlotte said that it was a miracle she is so well.
They thought that their injuries would make it impossible to have a child. But they were shocked when the family found out they were actually expecting this year.
It was hard to believe that I had ever been pregnant. The colorectal nurse was concerned that I might have a bowel obstruction. The nurse said that it is not a blockage and there may be something else.
Charlotte was able to have their baby safe and soundly delivered by 22 NHS employees.
Charlotte had suffered previous injuries that placed her in high risk pregnancy. This meant she needed regular scans and an emergency caesarean at 37 week.
Because Charlotte was wearing a metal plate around her spine, an epidural couldn’t be an option. Instead she received general anaesthesia throughout the whole procedure.
Charlotte was at high risk of having a pregnancy. She gave birth to a baby girl in December. Now she is adjusting to being a mother.
Jak could be present in the operating area and witnessed the entire process, even though she was disappointed to not meet her baby right away.
Jak stated that everything went smoothly or at least as planned. It was attended to by 22 persons.
The couple were both unhappy with the care they received from nurses and doctors. Baby Cara suffered from jaundice, weight loss and had to be admitted into hospital for one week.
Paul Barrow was a consultant in colorectal surgery who provided assistance right up to Cara’s birth. He was part of a long list NHS workers that they were forever grateful for.
Cara is currently back in her home with her parents. Charlotte says that Cara’s doing well and it’s tiring. However, Charlotte added, “It’s lovely. When we look back three years ago at our lives, we see a completely different place now. It’s all so different.
At the time of the crash, the driver of the truck wasn’t legally allowed to be driving the vehicle involved and was later fined £1,600.
The family spoke with him before he was sentencing.
Charlotte stated that he was an injured party in the collision and that they had decided to talk with him.
She said: ‘I shook his hand because after all of the above and facing court; I have run out of strength and need some peace.’