A MUM-of-two from Warrington will be embarking on a half-marathon to raise money for the hospital that treated her during pregnancy.

Rachel Munn required specialist treatment during her pregnancy after she learned that she had suffered from a heart attack.

The Warrington resident was 32 weeks pregnant when she experienced discomfort in her chest, leading her to visit A&E, where she was immediately referred to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.

Warrington Guardian: Rachel gave birth and had to remain in hospital due to her conditionRachel gave birth and had to remain in hospital due to her condition (Image: Rachel Munn)

Rachel's referral came after she was told she was showing signs of having experienced a heart attack.

She said: "To say I was petrified was an understatement and it almost felt as if my world had stopped.

“The LHCH team were clear that I couldn’t go home and wanted to monitor my heart very closely until a plan could be put together for the rest of my pregnancy.

“In the end, they decided that the best solution for me was to be transferred to a hospital in Manchester where their cardiac team could keep my heart under observation, and their specialist obstetric team could deliver my baby safely via C-section at 37 weeks.”

Rachel said that the challenges only got harder, as immediately after giving birth, she was moved to the intensive care unit for five days, while her daughter was taken to the post-natal ward.

She added: “It was a really difficult time and the mix of emotions was unreal. I was so happy we were both alive, but the upset of her going off without me was heartbreaking.

“Eventually, following a series of further heart tests, I got the news I wanted more than anything else - I could go home and was referred back into the care of the team at LHCH.”

Within days of being discharged and finally making it back home, the first Covid-19 lockdown was introduced.

The mum-of-two said: “After being in intensive care just days earlier, surrounded by specialists and hooked up to machines for weeks, to then be isolated at home and told to shield because of my heart, was actually pretty scary. It was almost like a battle with my mind.

“Throughout Covid-19, the team at LHCH were my lifeline and I’ll always be indebted to them for the emotional support that they gave me, and for making me realise that I could get back to full fitness and return to running.

“That’s why I want to show my gratitude for all they did for me, by raising as much money as I can for the hospital charity, so that they can support other patients and families like me.”

Rachel will be running her half-marathon on Sunday, May 21 - for more information, visit her fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RachelLiverpoolheartandchest