A mum diagnosed with heart failure after the birth of her daughter has made a return to competitive football.
'Fit and healthy' Nicole Goodwin took seriously ill while in labour and was told that little Isla had to be delivered urgently.
The news was a huge shock and as soon as her baby arrived, the frantic new mum was rushed to the Golden Jubilee Hospital, where doctors discovered she had a leaky heart valve, the Daily Record reports.
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And the 29-year-old's health worries didn't end there, and she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in January 2020, setting back further her return to the game she loves.
Nicole recalls telling the midwife she was struggling to breathe during labour, and learning that she now depends on medication to manage both conditions.
She explained: “I thank my lucky stars every day that I am here to tell the tale and I got my daughter out of that horrible experience.
“There are a lot more people out there worse off than me who don’t have the opportunity to do what they love."
After a three-year absence from the game, Nicole signed for Renfrew Ladies earlier this year.
She said: “Saturday was my first competitive game and Isla was there for that, it was amazing. I hear her shout mummy from the sidelines and it’s the best feeling in the world.”
Nicole's doctors don't know if she was born with the heart condition, or if it developed during her pregnancy, but she will be on medication for life and be monitored continually.
She added: “I asked my consultant if I could go back to football and he didn’t see any issue with it.
“The diabetes doesn’t have a very big effect. I have to manage my insulin and you need to find what works for you and your body, but I always said if I had the opportunity to go back to it I was going.
“I know some of the girls at Renfrew and they said come along, which I did and it’s great to be back.”
And the young mum has been supported every step of the way by her partner John McIver, and proud little Isla, who looks set to follow in her mum's footsteps on the pitch.
Nicole pointed out: “I can’t even go to training without her trying to follow me.
“They make her feel part of the team which I’m so grateful for.”
Nicola inherited the football bug from her late dad, who started teaching when she was younger than Isla, and she enjoyed success as a player in teams across the Glasgow area, even helping Motherwell gain promotion to the Scottish Women’s Premier League One.
For now, however, Nicole is delighted to be playing for Renfrew Ladies and is enjoying the sport she thought she may never be able to play again.
She added: “I’m taking it a season at a time. Isla is really into football as well so maybe I’ll hand it over to her in a few years.
“For now I’m taking it as it comes and enjoying every moment.”
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