Chelsea McGillivray, a first-time mother from Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire, experienced an unexpected cardiac event during labour and could not be resuscitated despite emergency intervention. Her pregnancy had proceeded without complications, with all prenatal tests returning normal results and no known underlying health conditions. When her waters broke at full term, she attended the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. After initial assessment, she was sent home but returned when contractions intensified. During labour, she experienced a sudden medical crisis that prompted immediate emergency response from hospital staff.
Despite the traumatic circumstances of his birth, her son Tommy was delivered safely and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for monitoring. He was discharged home in stable condition two days after birth. Tommy’s father, Jack, is now the primary caregiver, with extended family members providing emotional and practical support during the grieving process.
According to data from MBRRACE-UK, the official body auditing maternal and infant deaths, 252 women in the UK died during pregnancy or in the weeks following childbirth between 2022 and 2024, representing 12.8 deaths per 100,000 women giving birth. The overall maternal death rate during this period was 20% higher than rates recorded from 2009 to 2011.
The family has established a fundraising effort that has generated more than £85,000 to provide financial support to Jack while he takes time away from his self-employment to care for Tommy and process his grief. The family has described Tommy as a source of light during their bereavement and noted that Chelsea had been enthusiastic about motherhood and had made detailed preparations for his arrival, including planning a newborn photoshoot that Jack intends to complete in her honour.
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