Grieving mother shares pictures of stillborn baby to warn others to trust their 'maternal instincts'

“I had an awful feeling something was wrong”

The couple want to warn expectant mothers of the importance of trusting their own instincts (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A mum has shared devastating photos of her stillborn baby in a bid to warn expectant mothers to “trust their maternal instincts".

20-year-old Georgia Boyton, from Essex, says that she noticed Dollie-Raie had stopped moving regularly at 33 weeks but was reassured by midwives that everything was fine.

However, at a scan to check on her growth at 38 weeks, the mother discovered her daughter had no heartbeat.

Now, taking to Facebook with a post that has been shared more than 25,000 times, Boyton and her partner James hope to warn expectant mothers of the importance of trusting their own instincts - no matter what the professionals say.

“My pregnancy was perfect until I reached 33 weeks and I noticed Dollie-Raie's movements change,” the former bridal consultant wrote.

“She'd always been such a wriggler but I began to worry when she slowed down. I'd also noticed that by bump had shrunk, I could now see my feet which had been hidden before.”

Warning: Distressing images

But, despite suffering from painful headaches, breathlessness and pains in her stomach – signs she now recognises as marks of pre-eclampsia - Boyton’s concerns were brushed aside.

“The whole way through I trusted my midwives 100 per cent and I dismissed my own worries despite feeling as though something wasn't quite right,” she added.

The following day the couple attended a growth scan to check on Dollie-Raie, only to be told she had no heartbeat.

”The next few hours were a total blur but the thought of her being dead inside me was almost too much to bear,” Boyton declared.

“Midwives at the hospital told me that if I'd come in for delivery just days before that my daughter would be alive today.

”I wish I'd trusted my instincts but when you're told everything is OK, you trust the professionals.“

After the birth of Dollie-Raie in the early hours of March 6, the mum admitted that she couldn’t bring herself to look at her daughter at first but knew that she would regret not holding her.

”I came to terms that she was dead and I told James to bring her over to me. My heart broke into 1000 pieces as I held her,“ Boyton added.

”She was the most perfect precious little girl ever, so beautiful!“

The young couple were able to spend two days and nights with their daughter before she was taken to the funeral home.

”Our grief is something we will live with forever but sharing our story is giving us something positive to focus on during the worst time of our lives.“

An investigation has since been launched by One to One Midwives who are commissioned by the NHS, alongside Colchester Hospital, into the cause of Dollie-Raie's death.

”One to One Midwives have expressed our sincere condolences to the family for their very sad loss which was a tragedy,”said Joanne Parkington, chief executive of One to One Midwives.

“An investigation is currently ongoing which is expected to be concluded at the end of the month.

”Georgia and her partner James have been included at all stages of the investigation.

“We have made them central to the investigation as we recognise the importance of being open and transparent at this incredibly difficult time for them.

”For those women who remain under our care, it is important to stress that One to One are a safe organisation with safe outcomes and that includes a lower than average stillbirth rate.

“We are committed to ensuring that following the investigation any recommendations are fully implemented and lessons are learned so that we can provide the best possible services for our community.”