Sophie shares about her daughter Zyla-Rose’s stillbirth and how from 36 weeks pregnant she was in and out of hospital with reduced movements. It was during one of these visits that she was told Zyla-Rose had no heartbeat. Sophie went home to tell her daughter Scarlett that her baby sister would be born sleeping. When Zyla-Rose was born she was perfect. Sophie got to stay with Zyla-Rose for 48 hours before she was taken for a postmortem. When she received the hospital report it said there were eight failings through her pregnancy and her care was rated a D, the worst outcome. Sophie wants people to know Zyla-Rose’s name and story and to be aware that mothers know their bodies and how important being listened to by professionals is.
Please be aware that Sophie has chosen to share a picture of baby Zyla -Rose’s feet with her story.
I have a 13 year old (at the time she was 12) daughter Scarlett. Since I had Scarlett in 2013, I didn’t get pregnant again.
In 2024 I was told I had a cyst on my ovary and would need to have it removed (15cm). After six weeks I found out I was pregnant and was over the moon. My pregnancy was going well but I had to have extra scans to keep an eye on babies’ growth.
From 36 weeks plus I was in and out of hospital with reduced movements. I went in four times and went on a Cardiotocography (CTG) device. At that time Zyla-Rose’s heartbeat was fine.
I was due to have a C-section on the 18th August 2025, but because of reduced movements I had a scan on the 13th August. I was told by my consultant that my doppler reading was high, but she wasn’t worried as this wasn't constant then I was sent on my way. I even asked the consultant if I could have a C-section before 39 weeks and I was told no. May I add that was the first time I had a face-to-face meeting with her.
After I was sent home, on the 17th August I rang up the hospital and told them I hadn’t felt Zyla-Rose move so I went in and this was when I was told she had no heartbeat. It’s the most traumatic experience I have ever been though.
I went home and had to tell my daughter Scarlett that her baby sister would be born sleeping. Watching her little face broke my heart into two. Getting my head around it was hard enough but having to watch my daughter go through it too was awful.
I was asked multiple times to have a natural birth, but I said no and was told to come in the next day to have the C-section I planned to have. When Zyla-Rose was born, she was perfect. Black, wavy hair, chubby cheeks, little nose, peachy bum, just all round perfect. Zyla-Rose weighted 8lb so she was a good weight.
We got to stay with Zyla-Rose for 48 hours before she was taken for a postmortem. Weeks later I was told no cause of death. Then I received the hospital report which said there were eight failings through my pregnancy and that on the 13th when I went in for my scan my consultant didn’t write down the doppler reading and her answer to this was because she wasn’t sure! If she did, someone else would have seen this and I most likely would have had a C-section that day. My care was rated a D which is the worst outcome, so it’s even more heartbreaking to know this.
These 11 months have honestly been tough on me and my daughter, and I will carry on getting justice for Zyla-Rose because I feel like things have been brushed under the rug.
I want Zyla-Rose’s story out there, so people know her name and I want people to be aware that as mothers we know our bodies. A part of me will always feel guilty for not speaking up but you believe professionals. Communication is key and being listened to is so important, it really is.
It doesn’t feel like 11 months has passed. It still feels like yesterday, but I know Zyla-Rose is around me with all the little signs.
To anyone that has gone through this I am so sorry, you are stronger than you know. I carry on for my daughters and although you may not be here Zyla-Rose, mummy will always talk about you and love you with all my heart. Rest easy angel.
