26 December 2023 , 17:32
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A heartbroken dad says he is raising his "miracle" baby alone after his wife suffered the most "unimaginable tragedy" and died at childbirth.
Gregg Moultrie, 50, sadly lost his partner, Lisa Moultrie, 48, after they welcomed their first child, Harper, on October 6. The couple, from Hertfordshire, "spent nearly a decade dreaming of becoming parents" and went through a “very long fought battle”.
After undergoing tireless rounds of IVF that were unsuccessful, Gregg and Lisa finally thought their luck had changed. The excited couple even recorded a video diary which will now be "invaluable" for their baby girl growing up.
Lisa sadly passed away whilst delivering their daughter. The cause of her death remains unknown and Gregg says it could take nine months to receive the results of any investigations.
Gregg described his relationship with Lisa, whom he met later in life, as “childhood sweethearts with lived experiences”. He said: "We loved people and getting out to meet others and hear their stories - I'm neurodivergent and Lisa helped me share my story. Her story will always be in our lives. Our love was in everything and we molded each other."
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The dad is being supported by his family, but they are spread around the globe in Canada and South Africa. The role of being a dad comes with significant financial challenges now - as he has to provide for Harper with one income instead of two. His older sister, Tara Rogers, launched a GoFundMe page as a way to financially support Gregg and Harper while they navigate their future.
Harper was born on October 6 (Gregg Moultrie / SWNS)
Gregg will have to raise Harper on his own (Gregg Moultrie / SWNS)Lisa’s sister and her three brothers, as well as Gregg and his two sisters, joined together to hold a celebration of life for Lisa last week whilst meeting their newest member of the family - Harper, who is now nine weeks old, reports Liverpool Echo. When speaking about his beloved wife, Gregg admitted he knew she was the one the moment he laid eyes on her.
Gregg, who was born in Zimbabwe but moved to the UK in 1999, said: “We had both come from bad relationships and met online at first. Upon our first meeting, as soon as I saw her eyes, I knew I was going to marry her - I even told her that after an hour into our first date.
"To kill the awkwardness of the serious tone, she just said ‘I’m going to need another drink!’.” Six weeks later the couple were engaged, and nine months later they were married. Gregg admits their first year felt like a “whirlwind”, but due to their age they both knew what they wanted in relationships.
The couple had been trying for a baby for almost nine years when in September last year they tried for a final time - but it was this round of IVF that was finally successful for the couple. Lisa remains with Gregg and Harper in spirit and in film - as she and Gregg recorded a daily video diary to document the birth of Harper. Gregg said: “Lisa liked recording memories - living memories and experience.
Lisa captured her pregnancy on video (Gregg Moultrie / SWNS)
Harper has a support system from around the world (Gregg Moultrie / SWNS)“She even said we should do a video diary documenting her pregnancy individually and together - deep down we believed we were going to be lucky this time and we were. At first I thought it was crazy but I look back now and think how valuable they are - it is invaluable for Harper as she will be able to hear how her mother sounded and laughed.
“Those memories are priceless. Lisa was also an incredible organiser - there was nothing she couldn't put her mind or hands to that didn't turn up. She is helping me even now by her organisation skills - she has given me a list of what she envisioned at home, day one, week two, three months - up to a couple of years.
“It has helped me deal with Harper and being a new dad by making sure the routines are important: ensuring the washing is done, Harper’s bottle is cleaned. It helps motivate me to get up every morning.
"Our love was in everything and I’m still listening to her even though she is physically gone.” Tara and Gregg said they are “blown away” with community support and donations to the fundraiser from around the world. You can visit the fundraising page here.