Supporting families in spain whose babies are born sleeping

On the 19th January 2025 our beautiful Sienna Elizabeth Rose O’Shea was born sleeping at 40 weeks + 3 days at 13.21 weighing a perfect 6.9lb

It was a Sunday morning, I’d been cleaning the house (nesting) when my waters broke, I’d never been so excited, texting all my family and close friends to let them know she was on her way. Siennas Nana, Karen had just landed at Malaga airport just in time.

After my waters broke I felt Sienna wiggling & moving. 20 mins later I began bleeding, I remained so calm not wanting to distress her & we all headed to the hospital as quickly as possible, both my partner and mum arriving a few minutes after.

I’d planned my birth at a hospital in marbella but due to the urgency we detoured and went to a hospital in Estepona.

This is where my world would change forever, as the doctors checked and monitored it appeared there was just the smallest heartbeat & I was rushed for a crash C section ( I was put to sleep ) , without any time to say any goodbyes I was in theatre. My last memory begging the surgeon “ please save my baby “

During the operation without my knowing, our beautiful girl was born sleeping at 13.21pm

Whilst I was under, my body reacted to the trauma and my lung collapsed. I was placed into an induced coma.

My partner and family were not only told we had lost our beautiful angel they were told I may not make it either. I can’t comprehend what they went through in that 24hrs.

Sienna was perfect in every way, beautiful lips, dark hair with little curls, huge feet and hands (bless her) the cutest button nose, and every bit the gorgeous baby id spent 9 months imagining.

Both her Nannas got to have cuddles as well as Daddy, dressing her & putting on her nappy, kissing her and making sure she felt nothing but love. They made sure I got to hold her by bringing her into the Intensive care unit and laying her on me (something I wish I could remember) but I will treasure the photos forever.

Unfortunately the hospital didn’t have a cuddle cot (a babies crib to keep them cool, to ensure families and mummies have more time with their babies)

Within hours the funeral directors had already turned up at the hospital ready to take my baby away (Spain have very different ways, laws & regulations to the uk, it’s very normal to bury or cremate within 48hrs)

We had so much support from people trying to help but it resulted in Sienna being taken 2 hours away to the funeral directors.

On waking from my coma, a day I’ll never forget to be told not only my baby had passed away but to not be able to hold her was the most heartbreaking thing in the world, as a mother to sit in hospital after undergoing a c-section, the scars of child birth but empty arms was the most traumatic day of my life.

Due to being still so poorly from my lungs collapsing I was not allowed to leave the hospital to make the journey to see Sienna.

After 4 days I discharged myself so I could make the 5 hour round trip to see my baby

I held her, cried, smiled and kissed her little head, feet and hands … one of my happiest and saddest memories, I held my baby for 1 hour!

An hour I wish I could relive again & again.

Then on the 28th January we handed Sienna over to the angels in the sky with the most beautiful service in Malaga Valez with white feather balloons, pink flowers , teddies, candles & the perfect ceremony that she deserved.

This was made possible by the fact some beauty souls set up a go fund me page to take some of the financial strain off of us. This I will forever be grateful for & i’m fully aware it was an incredible amount of money raised.

This all in mind my goal is to make changes here in spain so no mummy and family have to go through what we did.

Sienna touched so many people and impacted the world without even touching the ground and as her mummy I want her to be watching down on me & be proud.

So please follow, share , like …. & come on a journey with me Will it be hard, yes! Will there be obstacles? Yes! Will it be worth it … a million times yes!! Do I know what I’m doing ? Not really … so I’m grateful for any support , knowledge along the way

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The goal :

•Gofundme coming soon

•Provide the hospital / donate a cuddle cot

•Raise money to help others with funeral costs

•Provide the hospital with boxes to support families, inc tools to remember babies, baby moulds/ink pads/memory pieces

•Offer FREE services to capture the funeral photos and videos to families

•Professional photographer to capture first and last moments / volunteer

•Sleeping gowns donated & made from donated wedding dresses

•To eventually build a support team of people who can help other families/counselling services/grief support

•Fundraising events both UK & spain

& im sure along the way ill think of lots more things to add !