I thought I was going to die when I had emergency brain surgery while pregnant… but it led me to a whole new career

AMBER Nicole, 32, is a model and lives in Staffordshire with sons Alfie, 10, Freddie, seven, and husband Mike, 34, a wheelchair designer. Today, the mum opens up on the terrifying health ordeal she went through while five months pregnant, and reveals how it led her onto a whole new life. Amber Nicole, 32, will compete in Ms Great Britain eight years after a health ordeal Amber, above with son Freddie, collapsed while pregnant with a potentially fatal brain condition “Sashaying down the catwalk in a beautiful ivory gown, I couldn’t believe my luck at forging a new career as a bridal model in my 30s. Not only that, but just before the show, I’d discovered I’d been chosen as a finalist for the Ms Great Britain pageant. It was a dream come true. I’ve come a long way since the terrible day, almost eight years ago, when I collapsed at five months pregnant with a potentially fatal brain condition. My partner Mike and I had been together for two years, after meeting on a dating app, and I couldn’t wait to give Alfie – my three-year-old son from a previous relationship – a sibling. In the days before my collapse in December 2018, I’d felt sick and dizzy, but put it down to being pregnant, and busy with a toddler and my job as a beautician. Thankfully, I saw my GP and they sent me to an optician – who looked at my eyes and told me I needed to go straight to hospital by ambulance. I was terrified. A CT scan revealed a large pineal cyst in the middle of my brain. It wasn’t cancerous, doctors reassured me, but it was causing a condition called hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid deep within the brain. The doctor said I was hours away from the pressure leaving me in a coma, and I needed emergency life-saving surgery. I burst into tears, while Mike held me in his arms. The next day I underwent a six-hour op to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure. Waking up, my first thought was for my baby, but I was reassured all was fine. Doctors told me that, although the immediate risk to my life had gone, they hadn’t been able to remove the growth completely because of its location. I’d need twice yearly brain scans in case it began to grow back. I had such mixed emotions – relief and gratitude that our baby and I were alive, but deep worry this shadow would be hanging over me. After five days in hospital, I was discharged and had to rest for the remainder of my pregnancy. In April 2019, Freddie was born weighing 6lb 5oz. Holding him in my arms, I was so overjoyed he was healthy. For the next few years, we lived a normal family life, and although I dreaded each scan, in between them I loved being a mum of two and running my business. A scan revealed a large pineal cyst in the middle of her brain which caused a condition called hydrocephalus (Above: Amber after surgery) The gorgeous mum modelling bridal dresses, a new career which she forged in her 30s following her health scare Then, in January 2024, I received the devastating news that the cyst had started growing. It was still small, but I would likely need surgery in the future. At 15st 1lb and a size 16 at 5ft 8in, I resolved to try to become as healthy and strong as possible to be in fighting shape. I counted calories, cut out my nightly glasses of wine and did spin classes three times a week. And, two years later, I was down to a size 8 and 9st 7lb. My confidence soared, and when my mum Deb, 58, who owns a wedding venue styling company, asked me to pose in a dress to show off her business, I agreed. The model has lost more than 5st Amber became as healthy and strong as possible, and is now down to a size 8 and 9st 7lb After she posted the photos on social media, I quickly began to get offers of modelling work in the bridal industry. It was totally unexpected, but wonderful. I started doing shoots for bridal magazines, as well as catwalk shows, and loved every minute of it. In April this year, I had a seven-hour procedure to reduce the cyst. With such a serious op, there is always the risk of not surviving it, but I knew I had no choice. My surgeon is hopeful I won’t need any more surgery, and I believe my recovery was made easier because I am healthier and fitter now. She feels proud to be taking to the stage at the Ms Great Britain contest in Leicester in October BTW A pineal cyst is a small, fluid-filled sac that forms in the pineal gland deep in the brain. The Ms Great Britain contest was launched in 1945. Two months later, I received the incredible news that the application I’d made last Christmas to enter the Ms Great Britain contest had been successful. I couldn’t believe I’d been picked as a finalist. In October, I’ll take to the stage at the contest in Leicester. Whether I win or lose, I feel proud of the challenges I’ve overcome. Having been close to losing my life and not seeing my family grow up, I plan to enjoy every moment.”