Isles mum thanks air ambulance crew for helping to save her baby

A North Uist mum has thanked the crew of a charity air ambulance who helped save her baby after she began to experience serious complications.

Eilidh MacNab was 34 weeks into her third pregnancy when she began to display high blood pressure during a routine appointment at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, causing concern for her and her unborn child.

The 34-year-old was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition which if left untreated can cause strokes, organ failure and even death.

MacNab was airlifted to specialist facilities at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where baby Seòras was safely delivered.

MacNab, a high school teacher, had already travelled by car and ferry to the hospital in Stornoway.

She said: "The fact that the air ambulance helicopter was involved did give a sense that this was an urgent situation that we were in.

"But I remember the air ambulance paramedics made me feel at ease.

"They never made me feel like it was a total emergency, and they kept me relaxed throughout the process."

MacNab was able to return home with Seòras to her husband and their new baby's two big brothers, Findlay and Hamish, before Christmas.

She said: "Growing up on Uist, you hear the air ambulance all the time on the islands, it has always been absolutely vital here.

"We're so lucky to have this resource. I'd like to thank the crew for being so calm and warm."

The crew of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance gave Seòras a teddy, which his mum said sits proudly in his cot.