By Theo’s Mum, Sophie…

“My pregnancy was exceptionally straightforward. Almost textbook. I was so well, and carried on working with young children right up until I was 38 weeks. I even felt like I could’ve kept going…

And my pregnancy did keep going! My “due date” came and went and I was still pregnant. 41 weeks came… and I was still pregnant. Finally, at 41+4 I started to feel more than just “a little uncomfortable”. I laboured at home for most of the day, and soon the time came to head to the midwife-led birthing centre. 

I had the most beautiful labour overnight, although it was extremely long and very tiring. I was preparing for the water birth I had dreamed of. 

Suddenly things changed. Midwives rushed around, and an ambulance was called. I was blue-lighted to our local hospital and rushed straight into theatre. 

Theo was stuck and they needed to get him out. Now. 

12.03pm and our beautiful son entered the world via forceps. Silent. 

The midwife placed him on my chest and began rubbing his back and chest desperately to get him to draw a big breath. A big breath that never came.

They whisked him away and onto the Resuscitaire to assist him with his breathing.  I remember a tiny voice coming out of my mouth as I asked “is he ok?” and no one responded. I tried asking again a little louder “is he ok?” Still no response. “Is he ok?!” I said a third time, even louder. Theo’s dad Matt eventually answered me “they’re just giving him a little bit of help with breathing. He’s going to be ok.”

“We need to take him to NICU. Dad, do you want to come with us, or stay with mum?” The doctor who was looking after Theo asked Matt. He looked at me for an answer. “Go with him. Don’t leave him.” 

I was taken into recovery and eventually joined by my mum who had been waiting outside. After a what felt like an eternity, I was allowed to go downstairs to be by Theo’s bedside. There he was, covered in wires and monitors and being watched over by a huge team of people. Our beautiful, full term, healthiest pregnancy baby. This just didn’t make sense. 

I was greeted by a doctor who introduced herself as the consultant on duty, and she explained that Theo had been without oxygen for long time during birth, and as a result, had had an Hypoxic Ischemic Encaphalopothy (or HIE, as it’s more commonly known) event. She explained what the consequences of this could be, and that Theo’s case seemed really quite “severe”. She spoke about the possibility of him being transported to another hospital for Therapeutic Hypothermia (or cooling therapy). 

Nevertheless, our boy fought. He started to show signs of improvement and his consultant let us know that they didn’t think it would be necessary for Theo to have the cooling, as he was doing so well. We were elated. Matt decided to head home for some much needed rest, whilst I remained on the post natal ward and Theo was on NICU.

A couple of hours later, we received the worst news. Theo had had a seizure, and as a result, and cooling treatment was deemed necessary and we would be being transferred to another hospital over an hour from home. 

Transport was arranged for both of us, and we were taken to the place that could provide Theo with the best level of care he required. 

He was cooled for 72 hours, and monitored round the clock by 1:1 nurses. His team were amazing, and we could not be more grateful for the care we received whilst we were there. 

We were given a parents room on the ward, just round the corner from the ITU where he was, and the support we received from the staff in the hospital and other parents on the ward was incredible. 

Whilst on the unit, one of Theo’s nurses told us about Peeps, and I spent many hours reading over other stories on the website to try and find out what the future might look like for us.

But I would’ve never expected to be where we are today. 

Theo is now 8 months old and thriving. He’s surpassing everything the consultants said in those first few days. He can crawl, babble and even give high fives. 

We are so proud of who he is, and his journey so far, but we will never forget those early, terrifying days.

We are so grateful to Peeps for the support we have received since Theo’s birth, and for all the other HIE families we’ve met along the way.”