Helen Richardson described the profound grief of losing her newborn daughter, Amelie, just six weeks after birth, a journey that followed years of infertility struggles. Amelie was born with a serious congenital condition, spending her short life in hospital undergoing surgery.
Richardson and her husband, Tim, had endured five miscarriages between 2020 and 2022 after trying for a child in 2020. Their path to parenthood included three cycles of IVF, costing approximately £20,000, funded through savings and family assistance, as NHS funding was not available due to Richardson's age at the time.
"It was incredibly tough. Even though he was as devastated as me, Tim was my rock," Richardson stated. Supported by the charity Tommy's, the couple pursued IVF, with embryo screening to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. The first IVF attempt in June 2023 resulted in a miscarriage. A second transfer in November 2023 was unsuccessful, but a subsequent transfer in July of the same year led to a viable pregnancy.
At a 12-week scan in 2024, Amelie was diagnosed with exomphalos, a condition where the abdominal wall does not fully develop in utero, causing the bowel and other organs to be outside the body. Doctors indicated that while serious, her prognosis was manageable with surgery shortly after birth. This diagnosis came after years of trying to conceive and multiple miscarriages.
Amelie was born via a planned C-section in March 2025 at 37 weeks. Richardson was able to hold her daughter briefly before Amelie was taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). At two weeks old, Amelie underwent major surgery to reposition her organs, a complex six-hour procedure. Although she survived the surgery, Amelie later developed infections and kidney failure. In early May 2025, medical staff informed the couple that there was nothing more they could do for their daughter.
"Our families were able to spend time with Amelie in a private room, holding her and loving her, before all the machines she was hooked up to were taken away," Richardson recounted. She and her husband were present for Amelie's final moments, with Richardson singing to her daughter. Amelie passed away shortly after.
Following Amelie's death, the family spent time with her at a children's hospice and were able to bring her home for a few hours before her funeral. Richardson reflected on the importance of these moments, allowing them to create memories of their daughter in a home setting.
A year after Amelie's death, Richardson has undergone counseling and returned to work. She is also building a social media community for families affected by severe forms of exomphalos. Despite the profound loss and the arduous journey, Richardson expressed a desire to try for another baby to give Amelie a sibling. "Despite everything – the miscarriages, the failed fertility treatments, and Amelie’s death – I would like to try for another baby. To give our little miracle a sibling," she said. "But I still feel that desire within me. It is this hope that fuels me."