**Couple’s New Arrival Brings Unforeseen Challenges**
Jade and Gareth James were eagerly anticipating the arrival of their baby girl when their world suddenly took a sharp turn. What was supposed to be a joyous occasion turned into a nerve-wracking experience when doctors noticed a concerning issue on their baby’s heart monitor. Jade, hailing from Bridgend, was informed that an emergency C-section was necessary, leading to the birth of baby Daisy James at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend on June 26, 2024. However, upon her birth, Daisy required immediate medical attention due to the detected anomaly.
Reflecting on the day of Daisy’s birth, Jade shared, “I went into Princess of Wales Hospital to be induced, but they realised that there was something going on with the heart monitor on Daisy.” Urgent action was taken as Jade was swiftly taken into surgery for an emergency C-section to ensure Daisy’s safe delivery. Jade recounted, “It took them ten minutes to revive her with CPR.” Post-birth, Daisy was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder affecting her heart, leading to her immediate transfer to Singleton Hospital in Swansea.
The days following Daisy’s birth were filled with uncertainty as she remained unresponsive for 12 days. Jade recollected, “They had to sedate her, and she didn’t wake up until the twelfth day. We spent three-and-a-half weeks in NICU and then two weeks and two days back in Princess of Wales before Daisy was able to come home.” Although Daisy is progressing well, she continues to face a host of challenges, including persistent pulmonary hypertension and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, alongside potential neurodevelopmental issues.
Despite the hurdles, Daisy’s resilient parents are committed to supporting her every step of the way. Jade expressed, “We will need support with her mobility and her feeding. But she’s doing well. She’s just going to take time to get over it all.” Grateful for the exceptional care they received at Singleton Hospital’s NICU, Jade and Gareth organised a fundraiser that generated £1,600 for the unit as a token of appreciation for saving Daisy’s life.
Speaking on their fundraising efforts, Jade mentioned, “We decided to raise the money to say thank you for saving her life basically. Everyone in NICU, I just cannot fault them whatsoever. They were all absolutely amazing. The care they give is absolutely phenomenal.” The couple presented the donation to staff at a special Christmas event hosted by Swansea Bay’s neonatal outreach team for families who had been in NICU over the past year.
Dr Joanna Webb, consultant neonatologist and clinical lead for neonatal services at SBUHB, expressed gratitude for Jade and Gareth’s donation, remarking, “On behalf of the team at Singleton NICU, we want to thank Jade and Gareth for their fantastic donation and for their commitment to supporting us as a service following on from their stay on our unit with Daisy.” The medical staff at Singleton NICU remain optimistic about Daisy’s future and look forward to her continued progress.
If the courage and generosity shown by Jade and Gareth have inspired you to contribute to the NICU, you can reach out to the Swansea Bay Health Charity at swanseabay.healthcharity@wales.nhs.uk. The journey of Jade, Gareth, and baby Daisy serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of families facing unexpected challenges during the arrival of a newborn, showcasing the power of love and determination in overcoming adversity.