News

Miracle mum completes HBF Run for a Reason

May 23, 2019

Just over a year ago Justine McFarlane could barely walk from one end of the house to the other unaided, but last weekend the 38-year-old mother-of-four from Heathridge completed the HBF Run for a Reason, finishing the four kilometre prams and walkers route in just over 40 minutes.

Just over a year ago Justine McFarlane could barely walk from one end of the house to the other unaided, but last weekend the 38-year-old mother-of-four from Heathridge completed the HBF Run for a Reason, finishing the four kilometre prams and walkers route in just over 40 minutes.

In 2018, Justine nearly died during the birth of her fourth child when she lost nearly 80 per cent of her blood due to complications that arose during her pregnancy.

The Joondalup Health Campus midwife says she was incredibly proud to have made it to the finish line of the event on Sunday, with her older daughter Amarri (3), baby Kalea, husband Ryan and sister Jess, as part of the Ramsay Health Care team.

“A year ago I was recovering from my third surgery at JHC, following the fight of my life. Today I am doing this event surrounded by my family, friends and colleagues and for that I am so thankful,” she said. “I’m so grateful and proud to have been able to be a part of it this year!  Go Team Ramsay!”

Justine developed several serious conditions during her pregnancy which were identified early on and a plan was in place to manage the risks she faced.

“I had been booked for a caesarean at 38 weeks, but I ended up with an emergency caesarean at 35 weeks after suffering a placental abruption, where the placenta separates early from the uterus, causing massive internal bleeding,” she said.

“The doctors, midwives and a multitude of other staff worked really hard to stop the bleeding and, being a midwife by training, I knew exactly the danger that both I and my baby were in – which was incredibly scary.”

“In fact, it was such a traumatic experience that, although I came through it physically, I ended up with post natal anxiety as I started to process everything.”

“It is so important after any kind of birth trauma – or indeed any unexpected outcome – to debrief with everyone involved.  The stress really hit my husband straight away but the enormity of it took time for me – and then it came very suddenly and hit me like a tonne of bricks.”

“To get through this and mentally unpack it has involved immense support from my family and friends – as well as professional support – and what I’ve learned is that it is so important to talk about how you really feel.  Don’t pretend that things are okay if they are not.”

“Talking to other women who had been through similar experiences definitely helped – as well as counselling – and I only hope that in sharing my story, I’ll help to raise awareness and perhaps this will save a life or help one of the readers of the Joondalup Times.”

Ramsay Health Care – which is Australia’s largest private hospital operator and has five hospitals in WA, including Joondalup Health Campus – was named the largest corporate team in the HBF Run for a Reason again this year, with more than 600 staff signed up.

Operations Executive Manager (Western Region) Kevin Cass-Ryall said the company would donate the $1000 prize money to the national charity Lifeline.

“Lifeline provides an amazing service to Australians experiencing personal crisis with a 24 hour telephone support line and suicide prevention services,” he said.

“This wonderful charity has some 10,000 volunteers and keeps around 2,500 Aussies safe each day. There really is no better way to gift this money than to a charity that supports mental health.”

“We live in a time where we are all under so much pressure that it’s little wonder that so many of us need mental health support – and there is no shame in that, the important thing is to make that call, ask for help.”

Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.