Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Frances' Health Issues
- Pregnancy Experiences
- Miscarriage and Complications
- Warning Others
- Miscarriage Information
- Conclusion
Frances Tatum had wished for a sibling for her 18-month-old son, Magnus, and was thrilled when she saw two lines on her home pregnancy test.
However, that joy quickly turned into anxiety as she worried about managing the undoubtedly challenging next eight months.
Frances Tatum and her husband Oli were eager for a sibling for their son MagnusCredit: Frances Tatum/TriangleNews
She unfortunately miscarried, and doctors mistakenly left part of her baby inside her bodyCredit: Frances Tatum/TriangleNews
Frances' Health Issues
Frances, 40, has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a genetic disorder that causes loose and unstable joints.
This condition made her first pregnancy with Magnus difficult, leading to multiple dislocations, back pain, and extreme morning sickness, which is also experienced by many other women.
Despite this, Frances always felt that she was expecting a little girl and was excited about the idea of having one of each to complete her family.
Pregnancy Experiences
Instead, she faced a weeks-long nightmare that began with a miscarriage and ended with her close to death.
Unbeknownst to her, doctors had left half of her baby’s body inside her, which meant she was being slowly poisoned while trying to go about her daily life.
Now, Frances wants to encourage other women to trust their instincts during pregnancy and to always ask for a scan if they feel it is necessary.
She shared with Sun Health: “The baby was killing me. The doctor said that’s why I ended up so poorly – I was very close to death.
“They left part of my baby inside me, and I had to expel that in the toilet.
“I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
Miscarriage and Complications
Frances and her husband Oli, 36, conceived their first child, Magnus, ten months after they began trying in 2020.
Although the pregnancy was extremely challenging, they were excited about becoming a family of three.
Frances' condition required extra monitoring, leading to frequent hospital visits due to dehydration risks associated with her illness.
She also suffers from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS), a heart condition frequently linked to hEDS that can cause sudden fainting.
Magnus was born in June 2021, but his arrival was fraught with challenges.
Due to her health issues, Frances was unable to have an epidural and underwent a cesarean section instead.
Magnus stopped breathing for six minutes upon delivery, and Frances lost nearly two pints of blood.
Doctors informed Oli that it was “touch and go” regarding Magnus's survival during this “very traumatic” experience, but he is now a healthy toddler.
During the D&C, they removed part of the baby but failed to extract everything
Frances Tatum
In the autumn of 2022, Frances and Oli, who reside in Dorset, found out they were expecting their second child.
On January 22, 2023, at 12 weeks pregnant, Frances fainted while showering and fell to the floor.
“It was terrifying,” she recalls. “I fell, broke a rib, and dislocated my foot without realizing it at the time.
“I told Oli, ‘I’ll be fine; just help me back to bed.’
“I’m convinced that’s when I started to lose the baby, but at that moment, no one knew.”
Oli mentioned that Frances was unconscious for “many minutes,” and a nurse later indicated that her fall may have caused her heart rate to slow, potentially limiting the oxygen supply to the baby.
Frances was taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where she underwent several scans to check for possible broken bones.
She was kept in for 18 hours and was told someone would check on the baby, whom they hoped to name Margot, but Frances claims that never happened.
“They examined me for internal bleeding, and I kept requesting a scan for the baby, but it just never occurred,” she explains.
“I felt fine, so I left.”
