Kiera Meldrum, aged 20, was offered an abortion every single week following her 21-week scan, which discovered that her unborn baby had severe ascites to the bowel.
The young mum from York, bravely defied the doctors’ orders to abort her baby, every week, and describes how constantly being offered an abortion made her feel "horrific." At 34 weeks, Kiera delivered her baby girl, Lillee-Rose, who had to undergo life saving surgery and spend eight intensive weeks in hospital.
However, Lillee-Rose is now happy and home with her family. Despite having a delicate bowel, doctors are satisfied that she should live a healthy and normal life.
According to The Scotsman, Lillee-Rose’s mum (Kiera) said: "Doctors told me every week to terminate my pregnancy, and hearing that advice over and over again was horrific, but something told me Lillee-Rose would make it through.
"I refused to terminate Lillee-Rose every time they told me to, and I'm so happy I listened to my heart instead of the doctors. There was no way I was terminating my pregnancy - I'd waited so long to become a mum and I was determined to do all I could to protect my baby
"My baby girl never stopped fighting and finally having her home with me is a blessing. I always had a feeling that she'd be ok, and seeing her grow up healthy and strong just goes to show that a mother always knows best. She is my little miracle."
"Always go with your gut instinct"
Earlier this year, SPUC reported on the case of Scottish mother, Lauren Webster, who was also repeatedly offered an abortion during the course of her pregnancy, as her unborn child was suspected of having a low chance of survival. Ms Webster resisted the medical pressure to abort, and later gave birth to a healthy baby boy as she had a "gut feeling he would survive."
Similarly, mother Natalie Halson was advised to abort her baby, Mirabelle, ten times after she was diagnosed with spina bifida, and was told by doctors that the baby would have a ‘poor quality of life.’ Ms Halson resisted the pressure from medical staff to abort and later gave birth to a healthy baby, who after a spinal operation is likely to live a happy and normal life.
Ms Halson said: "I would recommend to any parents who are advised to abort that it isn’t the only option, no matter what the hospitals try to tell them. Always go with your gut instinct; something inside told me that my baby was going to be ok- and look at her now, she’s perfect."
"Mothers should not be facing such pressure"
SPUC Scotland, Director of Communications and Campaigns, Michael Robinson said: "Whilst these stories of survival are heart-warming, they also highlight the immense and unacceptable pressure on mothers from medical staff."
"These brave mothers chose life for their child and now cannot imagine life without them. It is saddening to reflect on the pressure brought upon them during their pregnancy- what should have been a hopeful and happy time."