Relieved parents have told of their baby’s miraculous recovery after sharing the anxiety they felt when their newborn was seriously ill.
It’s a nightmare that was all too real for Emma Vincent and Ross Kennedy, from Loftus, who were rocked when their joy of a second child was rapidly overshadowed.
Emma, 27, was admitted to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough following a haemorrhage at home, while also suffering from Covid at the time, putting her life at risk.
Her placenta then detached from the uterus putting her unborn child’s life in danger. An emergency caesarean section was needed to save the baby Remy’s life which was just twenty-seven weeks and four days into gestation.
After the successful procedure Remy was immediately whisked away to isolation after he also tested positive for Covid. It was 12 days before they were allowed to see him after a phone call from the hospital which said: “your baby is very poorly. You need to come through.”
It was a day Emma and Ross will never forget.
Read more: Esh Winning dad Aaron Morris was due to become father to twins
“It’s a phone call no parent should ever get,” said Emma. “As we drove we knew that the day we got to meet our baby could be the day we also have to say goodbye. Seeing his two pounds seven ounces body hooked up machines keeping him alive was heartbreaking.”
It was later revealed that the newborn contracted a form of sepsis shortly after his birth. The condition also triggered a bleed on his lungs, causing one of them to collapse and pneumonia to set in.
On a visit to hospital, Emma and Ross, 30, were told he also had fluid on his heart and two brain bleeds.
Emma said: “The amazing doctors and nurses continued to do anything possible, and he started improving,”
“Soon after he was put on a 10-day intensive course of steroids. From then he came on leaps and bounds and bit by bit he grew bigger and stronger.”
After 79 agonising days in hospital the couple were allowed to bring their son home shortly before Christmas last year. Throughout the ordeal the family was supported by local charity, Neoangels which supports the families of sick and premature babies at James Cook and North Tees hospitals on Teesside.
And the couple have paid tribute to their vital support during the ordeal.
Read more: Darlington teacher hails bus driver a 'hero' after school trip ends with crash
She said: “Neoangels helped with the expense of driving and parking and also gave us vouchers to enable us to get something to eat while visiting.”
As well as the practical help the charity also leaves sweet treats and Christmas gifts for the babies on the unit.
“It was the little things, walking into something different,” Emma added. “Something you weren't expecting. It often brightened your day. We couldn't be any more grateful. The least we could do is raise awareness of the charity so they can continue helping other parents go through the unimaginable.”
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here