Mother with rare disability gives birth in world-first

Dec 13, 2022

A mother with a condition so rare that just 50 people worldwide have it has given birth in what it believed to be a world-first.

Hira Ahmad, from Wandsworth in London, has Bruck syndrome, which means she has brittle bones, restricted growth and uses a wheelchair.

The 28-year-old, who grew up breaking bones so regularly, she was taken to a hospital every three months, told the PA news agency she wanted to share her story to inspire other mothers with physical disabilities.

She said: “People doubt on you… they will say ‘you won’t be able to have a baby, it’ll be very difficult for you’.

“But I just want to put out there that no matter what, don’t lose your hope.

“I want my baby girl to go out there and explain to people that my mum is someone who had Bruck Syndrome and is a wheelchair user full time, she’s got brittle bones, but she still managed to deliver me in the safest way.

“I want her to look up to me and have that inspiration from her mother.”

Mrs Ahmad, an insurance officer at Wandsworth Council, had foetal testing to check if her daughter Dua would also have brittle bone disease.

She said when doctors told her the baby would not inherit the condition “I had tears of happiness in my eyes”.

Doctors ran a simulated theatre trial before the birth to investigate how Mrs Ahmad should position herself during the birth to avoid breaking any bones.

Due to previous surgery for scoliosis, which involved a metal rod being used to straighten her spine to alleviate pressure on her heart, she gave birth via C-section under general anaesthetic.

Mrs Ahmed went into labour unexpectedly early at 36 weeks, but after being rushed to hospital the birth was a success and Dua was born without complications at St George’s Hospital in London on 29 January 2022.

Caring for a newborn had been tough, she said.

“In the beginning it was very difficult… holding a tiny baby and pushing yourself in a wheelchair from one room to the other,” she said.

“I couldn’t do it on my own of course… I have to have my husband’s help or my mum’s help always around me for me to be able to cater to her needs.”

Mrs Ahmad said she always had “hope” she would be able to have a child after a doctor told her aged 12 she would be able to get pregnant, but she knew it would be difficult.

She said she wants to have more children.

“Maybe when Dua is at an age where we can manage her, maybe later on in life,” she said.

“I really want to, but I’ll have to look at my health at that time and make the decision later on.”

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