Moray mum with MND Lucy Lintott gives birth for an amazing THIRD time
A mum with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) said the birth of her third child was “something I only ever dreamed of” when she was diagnosed 11 years ago.
Lucy Lintott-Smith, from Elgin, welcomed her daughter to the world at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital on September 12.
In 2013, she became the youngest person in Scotland to be diagnosed with MND aged just 19.
MND is an incurable condition which progressively attacks the nervous system, preventing messages from the brain reaching the muscles, and making walking, talking and swallowing extremely difficult.
At the time, doctors warned her that 90 per cent of those with the degenerative condition live for less than three years.
She was also told that her body would not cope with carrying a baby, as a result of the MND.
But now, more than a decade after her diagnosis, Lucy has built a life with husband Tommy and her three children.
The couple asked that four-year-old LJ; two-year-old AR; and five-week-old SS, were referred to by their initials.
Lucy said her current life was far beyond what had imagined it would be at the time she was diagnosed.
“It’s definitely way more than I imagined - it’s totally different,” the 30-year-old added.
“How things are now is something I only ever dreamed of.
“But, with three kids, we are definitely done now.”
Now with three children under five years old, “there is a lot more washing to do,” Lucy added.
“It has definitely sunk in by this point, but it is very surreal and just a blessing.”
Lucy praised her care at both Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
“The staff were amazing,” she said.
“They really did make things as painless and enjoyable as labour could be.
“But anyone that looks forward to labour is a bit demented.
“I just can’t believe I have done it three times.”
Lucy, along with a host of supporters, has raised more than £300,000 for charity MND Scotland since her diagnosis.
In 2023, the mum-of-three was awarded a BEM in the New Years Honours List on the back of her fundraising efforts.
And, in February this year, she was named Fundraiser of the Year at the 2024 Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards.
Since sharing the news of her daughter’s birth, she has received a huge volume of positive messages and congratulations.
“It’s been crazy,” she said.
“I’m really lucky that people are so, so supportive and that I have got such a great following.”
Lucy, who learned she was pregnant in January, was hit by worrying news at the 33-week mark when she learned that SS was breached.
The mum-of-three feared she would have to have a caesarean section, with no idea how well her body could recover from the procedure.
“We found out at 33 weeks that she was breached,” she said.
“I was very stressed and worried.
“I just really didn’t want a C-section.
“There are unknowns as to how I would recover and even the idea of it is scary.”
However, in the end, she was able to give birth without having a C-section.
Since the birth of SS, Lucy’s story has been widely featured across the media but the mum said the publicity has not been a problem.
“I don’t really think about it, if I’m honest,” she said.
“I have obviously got the newspapers, so they can see it when they are older.
“But I would say it doesn’t really affect me.
“And if it does have an effect, then it is just people stopping me on the street and saying: ‘Congratulations!’”
Angela Harris, director of support development for charity MND Scotland congratulated the couple on their incredible news.
“The team at MND Scotland would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lucy and Tommy on the arrival of their beautiful new baby girl,” she said.
“Motor Neuron Disease (MND) affects every individual differently, symptoms may progress at different rates, and life expectancy can also vary depending on the type of MND.
“This precious new addition to their family is a testament to the love, strength and resilience of families affected by MND.
“We wish Lucy, Tommy and their family all the best in celebrating this joyous occasion.”
More information about MND Scotland and support for those with the condition, and family members, is available on the MND Scotland website, by emailing: info@mndscotland.org.uk, or calling: 0141 332 3903.
