Family praise neonatal unit for “amazing” care

A Stoke-on-Trent family have praised the Neonatal Unit at University Hospitals of North Midlands for the care their premature twins have received since they were admitted four weeks ago.

Twins Jacob and Jaxon James were born at 30 weeks, weighing just 3lb 9oz and 3lb 8oz, on 5 July when their mum, Lucy Shaw, 34 unexpectedly gave birth at home.

Lucy from Biddulph said: “I woke up in the early hours feeling unwell and thought I had a tummy bug. A few hours later I called my mum because by then, I was in a lot of pain. When she arrived she took one look at me and called for an ambulance, it was definitely not a tummy bug! Whilst mum was on the phone to the operator, they asked if she could see anything and it then dawned on me to check and I could feel a head! I kept trying not to push and was saying they can’t come yet as it’s too soon but the operator told me I must push if I felt like I needed to. A few minutes later, Jacob was born at 6am with my mum delivering him just as the paramedics arrived to then deliver Jaxon at 6:15am.”

Jacob and Jaxon were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital where they were admitted to the Neonatal Unit and put on ventilators to help them breath. Lucy was also taken to the birthing suite due to blood loss. 

Lucy said: “The care the neonatal unit has provided for us has been amazing. I didn’t know what to expect and found the whole situation very overwhelming but everyone was so supportive and reassuring. I knew Jacob and Jaxon were under the best care. Within a week they were both breathing on their own. 

“The nurses and assistants have helped and encouraged us every step of the way to ensure we still felt like the boy’s parents. At first, even just changing a nappy on such a tiny baby was quite scary but with the nurse’s support, we soon got the hang of it as well as learning to feed them via an NG tube. I really can’t thank the team enough for taking care of our boys.”

Lee Abbott, Clinical Lead, Neonatology at UHNM said: “Jacob and Jaxon really are true miracle babies. On arrival they were so cold that they had unrecordable body temperatures, they both had blood acid levels that were not consistent with survival and they also had low blood pressures. They have both pulled through are doing incredibly well and are expected to be able to go home with minimal special care.”

“I would also like to recognise the excellent efforts of the paramedic team at WMAS for their high standard care, without whom this amazing outcome would not have been possible.”

Jacob and Jaxon are continuing to do well at 34 weeks and will be heading home over the next few weeks.

Lucy added: “I am looking forward to getting them home when they are ready. We really can’t wait.”