WITHOUT the midwives and doctors on SCBU, mum Becky Bolton says her family could not have pulled through.
Becky was diagnosed with preeclampsia when she was 32-weeks pregnant with Brody. Her feet were so swollen she could barely move them, she said.
When Brody was born by Caesarean section in March, the lad stopped breathing and had to be put on a ventilator.
“I remember asking my partner Greg what was happening over and over,” she said. “I could see this white look on his face and I knew something wasn’t right.”
Happily, Brody recovered. Describing the first moment she could touch her son, Becky said: “He was put by my head so I could hold him and touch him. I instantly felt overwhelmed by unconditional love and happiness. I remember seeing his tony blue hat and a little mask on his face. He was so small and wrinkly, but he was so loved already.”
The boy was cared for at SCBU for two weeks. Becky said: “Without the help and support from everyone at GWH in SCBU and on the maternity ward, we would not have got through that difficult scary time.”
Eight months on, Becky has backed the £175,000 SCBU incubator appeal. The hospital wants to raise the cash to help fund five new incubators for the specialist unit.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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