Owen’s Mum – 13 Days with our boy

On the 22nd October I had my midwife appointment. My blood pressure was very high, so I waited for Daniel to come so I could go into hospital — it wouldn’t go down. So I had to stay in hospital. 
  
On the 23rd October, everything went from one extreme to another. I had to get an ultrasound scan that night. They found out the placenta had ruptured. Then I was told Owen was measuring 23 weeks, and I had to be transferred to a specialised hospital — options were Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ninewells, Aberdeen — but Glasgow was the one that picked up the referral first. 

  
While waiting for the ambulance, my waters broke. I didn’t have a clue what was happening — with Holly my waters were broken artificially, so everything was going through my mind, and Daniel’s too. Just as we were leaving to go to the ambulance, one of the doctors said to me, “You’re lucky — your baby will survive inside you — but going to Glasgow in a very serious way.” 
 
We were blue-lighted from the Victoria Hospital to Glasgow. So many thoughts were going through my mind. I was so glad Daniel and my midwife were with me in the ambulance. 
  
When we got to Glasgow, all the checks and examinations were done within 10 minutes. I had to have my boy by C-section because my cord had prolapsed. I was rushed to theatre — so many faces around me, it was so scary. 
  
My beautiful boy entered the world on 24th October 2025 at 1:08am, weighing 1 pound 1 (500g). 
  
He fought so bravely for 13 days. 
  

On the 6th November at 6:11am, we were called into the hospital. We got ready straight away and headed there — our accommodation was about 20 minutes away by taxi. As soon as we arrived, they looked after Holly, and Daniel and I went in. 
  
When we walked into the room, our precious boy was still with us, breathing with the help of a ventilator. We were broken in pieces. We got to go to him, and we were given the chance for the tubes to be taken out of his incubator. I said I wanted him with me. So they lifted him out of the incubator and into my arms. They removed all the tubes, and by the time everything was done, it was 7:14am. That was the moment he passed away — peacefully, in my arms. 
  
I was heartbroken to see my boy gone. Then it was time to tell our girl. She was so brave to be a big sister. All of us were so upset, and I still blame myself, wondering if my health was to blame. Afterwards, we were taken to the parents’ room, and Owen came with me into a quiet room of our own. 

The next day we went to see him again. The nurse and consultant came to talk with us, arranged for photos to be taken, and made plans to bring him home. We chose Callam Robertsons funeral directors. 
  
At 6 o’clock that evening, Jade from Callam Robertsons came and collected our boy, and brought him home to us — he was just round the corner from our house. 
  
With the support from Held in Our Hearts, it has been amazing — from hospital to home worker Christine, to Jen my counsellor, to Amy my peer support worker. 
  
 Owen Orlando Dryburgh 
Born: 24th October 2025, 1:08am 
Fell asleep: 6th November 2025, 7:14am 
Loved beyond measure — missed every single day — forever in our hearts 💙🦋