Perth mum's scary ordeal after ‘rare' pregnancy diagnosis
A rare and potentially-deadly pregnancy complication is on the rise across the country — and top doctors say it is because caesarean sections are being carried out more regularly.
For one Perth family, it almost cost a mother and baby their lives.
Emily and Tyron Lopes gave birth to their healthy and happy daughter Lilly seven weeks ago.
But just days before she was born — Ms Lopes was preparing her two young sons for a world without their mother.
A 20-week scan revealed the 34-year-old was in the early stages of a rare pregnancy condition called placenta accreta.
The condition is caused when the placenta embeds too deeply into the wall of the uterus, threatening to invade other organs, including the bladder and bowel.
A joyous time for the Lopes family quickly turned to life or death.
'I woke up and I wrote a note to the boys and I said 'I love you and I'll see you soon' and I didn't know whether I would,' she said. Emily Lopes had a rare pregnancy condition called Placenta Accreta. Credit: 7NEWS / 7NEWS
'I was terrified I wouldn't make it to the other side to be the mum to my two boys and meet my baby girl.'
Ms Lopes had originally planned to deliver baby Lilly at King Edward Memorial Hospital but the surgery was so complex, the decision was made to move here to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital instead.
That meant Ms Lopes had easier access to other specialists, and in the end, five different surgical teams were involved in the operation.
Ms Lopes was on the operating table for a marathon seven hours.
She was able to hold her newborn baby girl for mere minutes before being placed under anesthesia for a hysterectomy. The mother and daughter were then separated for four days.
'Seeing the person I love going through so much, deliver this beautiful baby girl then go under for a surgery that had unknown outcome was really difficult,' Mr Lopes said.
'The concept of raising three children without you was the most terrifying bit of it all and I'm so thankful for the surgical team.'
Fertility doctor Mathias Epee said the disease was 'very scary' but 'very rare'.
King Edward Memorial typically treats seven to 12 women a year — but the hospital recorded 24 cases last year alone.
'We know that it's a worldwide problem that is significantly linked to the increase of C-sections in the community,' Dr Epee said.
Ms Lopes delivered her two sons, Beau and Hugo, via C-section — never knowing the risks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
South Australia's Coorong at risk as algae outbreak puts fragile ecosystem on the brink
The toxic algae bloom that has plagued South Australian coastlines since March has, 'unfortunately,' made its way into one of the state's most fragile ecosystems — the Coorong. Last week's powerful storm surge was initially welcomed, with hopes it would push cold, salty ocean water onto the shore to disrupt the bloom of the toxic micro-algae karenia mikimotoi algae. However, those same strong currents instead drove the algae back up the Murray River at Goolwa, entering the Coorong through the Murray Mouth — where the river meets the Southern Ocean. With ongoing drought conditions and tidal influences, the algae has now found an ideal environment in which it may be impossible to remove. Previously responsible for murky waters and thick sea foam along the Fleurieu Peninsula, Karenia mikimotoi is also suspected to be linked to the recent deaths of several sharks on Adelaide beaches. Ecologist and Coorong Environmental Trustee Faith Coleman expressed grave concern about the algae's intrusion into the Coorong's intricate ecosystem. 'Unfortunately, that amazing storm tide managed to push the Karenia straight into the northern lagoon of the Coorong, where it is blooming quite happily,' she said. 'Because of the unique nature of coastal lagoons, once something gets in, it rarely gets out.' The algae has now established itself in a 'sweet spot' at the end of the northern lagoon, where conditions — including high salinity, warm temperatures, and stagnant water — are perfect for it to thrive. Up to two metres of decomposing marine life, described as 'worm soup,' has already been found, with dead tubeworms and larvae washing ashore. Experts warn this could disrupt the already delicate food chain in the area. 'Many of the small organisms at the base of the food chain — those vital to shorebirds and fish — are now washing up dead,' Coleman said. 'There isn't anything that lives or grows in the water of the Coorong that is safe from this.' Local fisherman Glen Hill, owner of Coorong Wild Seafood, said the situation could devastate the region's fishing industry. 'I've bashed my head against the side of the chiller in frustration. I've cried my eyes out,' Hill told 7NEWS. 'If we lose the bottom of the food chain, what do the fish eat? 'Potentially, we could lose everything.' The storm system also stirred up sediment and, combined with the lack of fresh water, has spiked salinity levels in the Coorong. This has led to further environmental stress, with fish such as mullet, mulloway, and bony bream suffering visible gill damage — likely caused by the increasingly toxic conditions. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) confirmed they are investigating recent fish deaths but have not yet officially linked them to Karenia mikimotoi. 'We continue to work with other relevant government agencies on the current Karenia species algal bloom and associated fish deaths that have been occurring in South Australian waters since March,' a PIRSA spokesperson said in a statement to 7NEWS. Investigations are underway into reports of a bony bream fish kill in Woods Well Bay and a polychaete worm die-off near Long Point. Water samples have been collected and results are pending. 'Our role is to investigate any infectious or notifiable animal diseases that may have caused the fish deaths,' PIRSA said. The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) also confirmed the algae's entry into the Coorong was a known risk — and that any intervention, such as opening the barrages to flush water, could worsen the situation. 'The Coorong is open to the sea via the Murray Mouth and cannot be closed off from the ocean,' a DEW spokesperson said. 'During adverse weather and high tides, SA Water operates the barrages to minimise seawater entering Lake Alexandrina and to limit salinity impacts from reverse flows.' They added that although the tide pushed the algae in, the Coorong's natural connection to the Murray Mouth meant this could not be prevented. 'Pushing more water through the barrages to try to flush out the algae is unlikely to be effective and could risk spreading the bloom further south,' the spokesperson said. DEW confirmed it will continue monitoring the Coorong's northern lagoon and reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to protecting the area's ecological health. In the meantime, PIRSA and SA Health have advised the public not to collect or eat any dead or dying fish or marine organisms found along the shore. To report unusual sightings of fish kills or affected marine life, residents are urged to contact FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522. Concerns about water quality can be reported to the EPA at 1800 623 445 or by emailing yourepa@
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
WA Sports Minister Rita Saffioti says she will not overrule commission to stop bare knuckle boxing event
One Australian state government has been told it will have blood on its hands if someone dies during a bare knuckle fight event set to be held within weeks. Promotion Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is planning to make its debut in Australia in Perth next month, prompting an outcry from some sectors including health advocates. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: WA minister says she won't step in to stop bare knuckle boxing event. On Monday WA 's Sports Minister Rita Saffioti said she could intervene to stop it but will not do so if the state's Combat Sports Commission gives it the tick of approval. 'I understand combat sports is not everyone's cup of tea,' she said. 'There's a lot of people in the community who don't enjoy or want to watch or be involved. 'But the same issues were raised in relation to mixed martial arts and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.' She added: 'I can't stop things just because I don't like them. That's why we have a Combat Sports Commission, to provide advice.' American bare knuckle brawler Justin Thornton died in hospital more than six weeks after he hit the canvas during a fight in 2021. The 38-year-old was knocked out in the first round of a championship fixture in Mississippi, with the heavy fall leaving him partially paralysed. 'Our government has the ability to stop this from happening and if there is a death during the event then of course that falls at the feet of our government that's made this decision,' Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page told 7NEWS. The commission says the fights will only go ahead if organisers meet strict conditions. Its chairman Bob Kucera says they have taken the advice of US doctors. But Page argued 'they're taking the advice that they want to take'. 'They're not taking any advice from society, they're not taking advice from us, they're not taking any advice from anyone in our community,' Page said. BKFC organisers are advertising the event for July 19, pending final approval. On its website, BKFC says 'only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai will be allowed to compete'. 'The referees and judges will also be required to have extensive professional combat sports experience,' the promotion says. 'Unlike other fighting organisations and combat sports internationally which claim to be 'bare knuckle', but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. 'This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. 'BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest level bare knuckle fighting organisation in the world, it's also leading the way for a new fully recognised professional combat sport.'
Perth Now
7 days ago
- Perth Now
Aussies killed in horror India bus crash
Two members of a family from Melbourne have been killed in a bus crash while in India, with another child left in a coma. Dass Santiago, his wife Sandra Edward and daughters Angela and Natasha embarked on a trip to India two weeks ago, before the tragic accident on May 21. Six people, including 45-year-old Dass, 5-year-old Natasha, Dass's brother and sister-in-law and other relatives, died from their injuries after their van crashed with a bus on a highway en route to Tamilnadu in southern India. Sandra is currently recovering in hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries Their eldest daughter Angela remains in a coma after undergoing two brain surgeries. An Aussie father and daughter have died after a bus crash kills 6 in India. YouTube Credit: Supplied The family from Clyde North in Melbourne were visiting Dass's ailing mother and also commemorating Dass's older brother, who had died in Sydney the year before. Friends of the family are appealing for help to bring back Sandra and Angela from the government hospital, where they say medical assistance is 'limited'. Philomena Peters, a family friend, told 7News the news was 'absolutely devastating and shattering'. Another family friend, Leon Vieyra said they were 'such a beautiful family'. 'A very generous family … they took a small pilgrim trip to Velankanni which is a very sacred place,' he said 'We need better medical facilities to cope with this magnitude that they're going through.' An Aussie father and daughter have died after a bus crash kills 6 in India. The wife and other daughter are in hospital and are desperate to come back to Australia for medical recovery. L-R Dass his wife Sandra Edward, daughters Tash and Angie. GoFundMe Credit: Supplied An Aussie father and daughter have died after a bus crash kills 6 in India. YouTube Credit: Supplied The GoFundMe has been created by Sandra, who said in the post description that her 'heart is ripped to shreds'. 'I saw my husband die in front of me. That image is burned into my mind, a cruel, relentless torment,' the fundraiser description reads. 'Barely surviving the crash myself with multiple fractures and life-threatening injuries, I clung to the hope that my children were safe. 'Then, the most devastating news imaginable: my youngest daughter, my sweet Tash, who was turning six next month, succumbed to her injuries. How can I ever comprehend that I will never hold my little angel again?'. Ms Edward says that she is appealing for public kindness and humanity amid the ordeal. 'I need help to bury my beloved Dass and my precious Tash,' the description continues. 'And most urgently, I need help to medically evacuate Angie and myself back to Australia. We desperately need the specialised medical care that can give us a chance at recovery and at rebuilding shattered lives. The fundraiser has currently raised $102,670 since being created last week. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was contacted for a comment. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian family in India,' the spokesperson said. 'We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.'
