A “miracle” baby has been born healthy at a Worcester hospital despite both her parents undergoing chemotherapy during the pregnancy.
Little Heidi Jefferson-Loveday was born at Worcestershire Royal Hospital by C-section after an incredibly tough year for dad James and mum Bethany.
In December 2021 James, from Evesham, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma – an uncommon cancer that develops in vessels and glands throughout the body.
The diagnosis led to the couple to try for a baby before James’ treatment began, in the knowledge that conceiving may be more difficult after chemotherapy.
Bethany, 30, was “over the moon” when she found out she was pregnant in January, but joy later turned to despair when she was diagnosed with a high grade of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – a similar form of cancer – at 21 weeks pregnant.
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Dr Salim Shafeek – who has treated both James and Bethany for cancer this year – said: “The combination of being pregnant and having high-grade Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is exceptionally rare, and Bethany is the first case of this I’ve treated in my 25 years as a consultant haematologist.”
Bethany’s symptoms began in her first trimester while James was still undergoing chemotherapy treatment for his lymphoma.
'The best day of our lives'
“I will never forget the moment I was given my diagnosis,” she said. “I remember questioning how this was possible as my husband was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma at the time.”
Bethany was given an intense course of six cycles of chemotherapy before getting to 35 weeks so she had chance to recover before childbirth.
After finally finishing all her chemotherapy, Bethany eventually had a Caesarean section to safely deliver their baby daughter Heidi, who is now three months old.
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“James and I both agree that Heidi’s birthday was the best day of our lives,” she said. “It is the happiest I have ever felt. Dr Shafeek described Heidi as a miracle and reflecting back on the past year, he is absolutely right.”
Despite what both parents had endured throughout the pregnancy, Heidi was born completely healthy with no adverse effects. Both James and Bethany are now in remission and no longer require treatment.
Bethany added: “Dr Shafeek and his team are an outstanding group of doctors, nurses and staff. The standard of care they provide is incredible.
“The staff on Laurel 3 ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital treated me like a member of their own family.”
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