A new mum has praised her baby for ‘saving her life’ – after doctors removed fast-growing brain tumour before it was too late.<br /><br />Abi Naylor, 28, was rushed to Macclesfield Hospital, Cheshire, a week after the arrival of her son Roman when she started suffering ‘excruciating’ migraines in October 2022. <br /><br />After an CT scan, doctors broke the news to Abi and her husband, Ross, 28, that she had a large 7cm brain tumour, and needed emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital, Greater Manchester.<br /><br />The shocked couple were told the tumour’s growth had ‘accelerated’ due to her pregnancy hormones and was close to causing permanent nerve damage. <br /><br />If it was left any longer it may have become inoperable and caused ‘life-changing’ issues with her fine motor skill and facial muscles. <br /><br />Luckily, doctors were able to remove the whole tumour and as it was found to be benign, Abi doesn’t need any further treatment. <br /><br />The couple were overjoyed to welcome their son after tragically suffering a miscarriage in 2021 and delivering their first baby stillborn.<br /><br />Abi, a workplace mentor, from Congleton, Cheshire, said: "We have no idea how long the tumour was there and growing for. <br /><br />"Doctors think the hormones and stress of labour ended up excelling the growth of the tumour. <br /><br />“If it weren’t for being pregnant, it may have grown for longer and caused more damage. <br /><br />“My little boy literally saved my life.” <br /><br />When Abi and Ross' wedding was postponed in June 2020 due to Covid-19, they decided to try for a baby.<br /><br />After a few months, the couple were overjoyed to discover Abi was pregnant in 2021. <br /><br />However, the 12-week scan revealed the baby's brain had not developed properly.<br /><br />Abi delivered their stillborn baby when she was 14 weeks along. <br /><br />She said: “We were heartbroken and needed some time to heal before trying again.<br /><br />“But we tried to enter the new year with a positive mindset.” <br /><br />The couple were overjoyed to discover Abi had fallen pregnant again in February 2022. <br /><br />They finally tied to the knot in July 2021, and planned a gender reveal on the big day, using blue balloons to tell loved ones they were expecting a boy.<br /><br />Ross, a civil servant, said: “It was a very anxious time, but Abi was closely monitored throughout the pregnancy. <br /><br />“The wedding and gender reveal was perfect – we hoped we’d left the difficult year behind us.” <br /><br />Abi's pregnancy had been going smoothly until she suddenly collapsed at 37 weeks along. <br /><br />She was rushed to Macclesfield Hospital, Cheshire, but medics couldn’t find a cause. <br /><br />She said: “Doctors are very reluctant to scan heavily pregnant women. <br /><br />“It was left unexplained, but we thought it was just one of those freak things because I felt fine afterwards.” <br /><br />Weeks later, when Abi was 39 weeks along, she went into labour at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, Great Manchester. <br /><br />The couple welcomed their little boy Roman on October 11, 2022, weighing a healthy 7lbs 10oz. <br /><br />Everything seemed fine, until Abi’s health took a turn a week later while at home. <br /><br />She said: “I started feeling really dehydrated and was getting painful migraines.<br /><br />"After a few days I could barely see or walk so Ross took me into A&E at Macclesfield Hospital.<br /><br />"At first, doctors thought it was some reaction to the epidural I had during labour, but we pushed for more tests."<br /><br />A CT scan found a 7cm tumour and two days later, she was transferred Salford Royal Hospital for emergency brain surgery. <br /><br />After a four-hour long surgery and an MRI scan, doctors managed to remove all traces of the mass. <br /><br />Ross said: "Doctors couldn't believe she had such an aggressive, fast-growing tumour for her age.<br /><br />"They didn't know if it was cancerous, or what they would find when they operated. <br /><br />"It was a very scary time, especially just after the arrival of Roman."<br /><br />Despite not needing further treatment, the mum-of-one will continue going for check-up scans and is now enjoying time with Roman while recovering from surgery.<br /><br />Abi said: "Looking back, I have had headaches on and off over the years but thought nothing of it.<br /><br />“I always put them down to things like not drinking enough water, or my period. <br /><br />“If anything doesn’t feel right, definitely go to a doctor and get it checked out. <br /><br />Ross added said: "We pushed for scans so it's important you don't get fobbed off.<br /><br />''I dread to think what would have happened if Roman hadn't come along.<br /><br />''He's a little hero.<br /><br />“She’s still on the road to recovery, but she’s doing amazingly well."
