Miracle Quinn 

Jennifer Bugeja was having an uncomplicated pregnancy until the day baby Quinn was due to arrive. That day, just after dinner, Jennifer doubled over in pain and told her husband that she would have to go to the hospital.  Upon arrival at London Health Sciences Centre’s emergency department her contractions were about 30 seconds apart. 

“I didn’t think it would hurt so much…so quickly,” recalls Jennifer.
 
What Jennifer didn’t know is that her placenta had abrupted - separated from the uterus.  She was rushed to the birthing centre and the on-call doctor quickly determined they’d have to do an emergency C-section or risk losing the baby. Jennifer was in danger too. An abruption can cause severe bleeding in the mother, and oxygen and nutrient deprivation for the unborn child.

Jennifer was put under general anaesthesia and a team of doctors and nurses fought to save mother and baby. Jennifer nearly bled out because of the abruption. Quinn came out flat lined – with no signs of life.  The resuscitation team fought for three minutes to save her life. The ordeal affected baby Quinn’s organs including undetermined effects to her brain. That night the baby was stable, but later suffered a series of three seizures.

In recovery, Jennifer knew nothing of the baby’s perilous journey or her own, until Dr. Gary Block visited her the next day.  Sunday, they took Jennifer to see baby Quinn at the Paediatric Critical Care Unit at Victoria Hospital.  The first time Jennifer saw her new baby, Quinn was hooked up to a series of tubes and wires.  On Monday, Jennifer finally got to hold her baby.

Quinn is a miracle and survived a harrowing experience. She underwent extensive physiotherapy, met all her milestones and has not suffered any further seizures. The happy, little three-year started dance lessons this year. 

As for mom Jennifer, not only did she survive the birth, she was able to have another baby. Nine-month-old Spencer is now crawling. Having two mobile little ones is keeping Jennifer busy.

When she thinks of the hospital she lived close to for most of her life Jennifer comments, “Before Quinn was born I just took it for granted, but not anymore.”