A Rotherhithe mum who lost two pregnancies to a rare condition says her “miracle” baby is the nation’s lucky mascot, as every time he wears England’s football kit they win.
Sophie Rutherwood tragically lost two sons at 22 weeks and 24 weeks to fetal hydrops – a serious condition which causes abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments.
The 29 year old was later diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called ipex syndrome, which caused the fetal hydrops and means her likelihood of having a healthy baby boy is slim and that if she gives birth to a daughter, they will inherit the same condition.
But on April 16 this year Sophie defied the odds and gave birth to little Ethan – whom she says is England’s lucky mascot as the football team has never lost while he has been wearing their full kit.
Speaking to the News after England’s win against Colombia on Tuesday, Sophie said: “Ethan was born and suddenly England are doing well.
“The first time he didn’t wear his full England kit they lost against Belgium, but every other time he has worn his full kit they’ve won.
“I haven’t got any nails left, my partner John and I were both on the edge of our seats watching because England always lose to penalties.”
After losing Fraser and Kye, Sophie and her fiancé John Corcoran, 34, never imagined they would have a healthy baby boy one day.
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“To have two previous babies with this genetic condition, we never thought we would have a boy, we thought we would have girls who carry the same genetic condition as me,” said Sophie.
“My first child, my son Fraser, was just a normal pregnancy; everything was fine and then I went up to the hospital and that’s when they found the fluid.
“They told me it was slapped cheek and that it would never happen again, so we tried again and then my second baby, Kye, had the same condition.
“Because they had never come across a case like mine and having fluid accumulate in such a short space of time they just assumed it was slapped cheek, but it wasn’t.
“After my second son I found out I have ipex syndrome, a genetic condition, and I really had to push for that answer. It’s really rare and not many people have it.”
Luckily Ethan, who is now eleven weeks old, was born happy and healthy in April this year.
“I was nervous up until 22 weeks because that’s when the fluid began to show on both other babies and once I was past that milestone I began to get more at ease, but I don’t think it’s ever out of your head until the baby is here,” said Sophie.
“They can do a blood test at twelve weeks in my pregnancy and find out if my baby has this condition.
“Ethan is our miracle – and England is now another miracle.”