Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke was trying to leave hospital when she lost her sight

Alexandra Burke was very ill during her second pregnancy with pre-eclampsia, and it was not caught early. She has described it as dangerous for her and for the baby, and she had to deliver a month early. The part of her account most worth reading is what she was doing when it became an emergency. She was due to have her baby shower on the day she ended up delivering. The hospital wanted to keep her in and she did not want to stay, so she tried to discharge herself. Then, suddenly, she could not see. She had a migraine and could not open her eyes. Seven or eight nurses came in, kept her on the bed and told her she could not leave and would have to deliver within twenty-four hours. Her own reaction at the time, she says, was that they were all being dramatic. She did not know. Losing your vision is not a detail. Blurred vision or flashing lights, and a severe headache that painkillers do not touch, are among the symptoms the NHS says to get medical advice about straight away in pregnancy. She only found out how ill she had actually been about three months before this interview, when she asked her husband directly — she was cleared, past it, and thinking about another baby, and she wanted to know. He told her it had been bad enough that he would be content for them not to have any more children. She says she thinks she had been in some denial about it at the time. She is now hoping to try for another child. Nothing here is medical advice. If you are pregnant and have any of the symptoms above, the NHS advice is to get medical advice immediately — do not wait for your next appointment.

• Pre-eclampsia