A woman whose baby underwent neonatal treatment at Royal Preston Hospital has shared her story in a raw documentary.
Made by a University of Lancashire student, the documentary outlined the struggles of giving birth and later losing a premature child.
Caitlen Clayton, from Morecambe, shared her story, including moments from her son Arthur’s birth until his last breath, in an eight-minute piece.
Read more: Preston couple’s bid to repay kindness after loss of baby at Royal Preston Hospital
The video aimed not only to share Arthur’s story but also to raise funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Fulwood hospital.
During her pregnancy, Caitlen explained her complications with HELLP syndrome, where red blood cells break down, and the liver is under significant strain.
Causing Caitlen to give birth early, Arthur was born weighing only four hundred grams and was underdeveloped.
In the documentary, Caitlen spoke about her motivations for participating in both this piece and the fundraiser just a few months after Arthur’s death.
She said: “I wanted to create a legacy where his name will carry on and to give back a small percentage to the NICU that they gave me.
“The most memorable part of the documentary for me will probably be looking back at some of the photos of Arthur.
“I could look at my baby all day long, and I love just talking about him because for me it makes me feel like he’s still here with me.”
Caitlen spoke about Arthur’s personality as a fighter and how she spent four weeks with him, despite being told he couldn’t make it past birth.
The filmmaker of the documentary, Teri, said creating this piece as a part of Arthur’s legacy helped her understand the impact that babies have to parents in such a short period of time.
Also working as a student midwife, Teri said: “Caitlen’s story felt equal parts devastating and beautiful, and the strength she has shown and continues to show for her little boy is admirable and deserves to be platformed.
“I felt like I got to know little Arthur. His story may not have been long, but seeing what a massive impact he has had and what a legacy he has left behind has been a privilege.”
You can donate to Caitlen’s fundraiser for a sensory playroom, in Arthur’s name, for the NICU here.
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