Local mum joins Team RCOG for Edinburgh Marathon to raise money to reduce maternal and newborn mortality globally

LONDON, 26-May-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Fiona Christie was left fighting for life after she lost three times the amount of blood in her body, following a dangerous complication that developed from giving birth to her daughter. The 39-year-old from Edinburgh suffered a major postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) immediately after delivering Rosa in 2009.

PPH, or excessive bleeding, is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in the UK and globally, and resulted in Fiona losing 15 litres of blood. Nearly eight years later, the local mum is eyeing up the Edinburgh Marathon, determined to raise money for mothers around the world.

Fiona will pound the pavement on 28 May in support of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). She’ll be running with Team RCOG to raise money for the College’s global health projects, which work to reduce maternal and newborn mortality globally.

“When I suffered my postpartum haemorrhage, I was very fortunate to be in a fantastic hospital with experienced surgeons, sterile equipment and a plentiful supply of clean, safe blood. Not all women are so lucky,” says Fiona. “For many women around the world, becoming pregnant is a potential death sentence. Every year, more than 540,000 die as a result of being pregnant. Many of these deaths are preventable with simple, affordable interventions.”

“We are so lucky in the UK to have access to excellent pre and postnatal care from the NHS. I am so grateful for the fantastic care I received that night, and in the days and weeks following Rosa’s birth. Raising money for the RCOG, to support its work in developing countries, is my way of giving something back.”

“Following Rosa’s birth, I spent a few days in intensive care. I couldn’t breathe on my own, let alone get out of bed. It took me a long time to build up my strength so that I was able to run again. Taking part in the marathon shows just how far I have come.”

Mr Hani Fawzi, Vice President of Global Health for the ROCG, says: “It is wonderful news that Fiona will run the Edinburgh Marathon in support of our global health work. Her fundraising efforts will help the RCOG in its ambition to enable quality and timely health care for women globally. I wish Fiona the best of luck!”

The RCOG is committed to supporting women’s health care across the world. The RCOG Centre for Women’s Global Health has developed projects in emergency obstetric care, essential gynaecological management, family planning, abortion and post-abortion care which all put a strong focus upon enabling women to achieve their fundamental human right to lead healthy lives.

The College also advocates for women and girls to be free from gender-based violence, including FGM and child marriage, and to end devastating and preventable birthing injuries such as obstetric fistula.

ENDS

You can support Fiona by visiting her sponsorship page here

For more information on PPH, see the RCOG’s information leaflet

To find out how you can get involved in fundraising for the RCOG’s work, and keep up to date with new opportunities, visit the Challenge Events page

For more information about the RCOG’s Global Health projects, click here

For media enquiries please contact the RCOG press office on +44 (0)20 7045 6773 or email pressoffice@rcog.org.uk

SOURCE: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists