A GRATEFUL mother has praised the NHS heroes at Basildon Hospital after saving her newborn baby’s life.

Erin Clayton was born during the nation’s initial lockdown, on May 18.

But parents Danielle Burton and David Clayton were left fearing the worst when Erin suffered septic shock within three minutes of coming into the world and stopped breathing.

Erin was rushed to Basildon Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, where further complications left her life in the balance. But, thankfully, Erin pulled through.

Danielle said: “Our beautiful baby girl arrived three weeks early. At three minutes old, Erin suffered a septic shock and stopped breathing, resulting in her needing chest compressions and breaths to bring her back.

“Erin was then rushed to NICU, where she had another episode at three hours old and turned blue.

“Luckily, the amazing staff in NICU managed to bring her back again.

Echo:

Siblings - Erin sits proudly with two-year-old brother Oscar soon after being allowed to go home for the first time

“She was unable to breathe by herself so was on optiflow gas for a few days. The first few days of her life were touch and go but, at four days old, she managed to start breathing unaided and was able to be transferred to the nursery in NICU, where she stayed until she was well enough to come home and meet her patiently waiting big brother, Oscar.

“After the worst week of our lives, Erin was discharged and we finally brought her home to start our life as a family of four.”

Restrictions put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic meant Danielle and David could not see their little bundle of joy at the same time.

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It proved to be a difficult period for the parents.

Danielle, of Loewen Road, Chadwell St Mary, added: “It was extremely hard having Erin in NICU as we were only able to visit her three hours per day but not together, so David and I could only spend an hour-and-a-half with her and then swap over.

“After two days of remaining in hospital, I was told Erin would be in NICU until she was discharged and I made the decision to go home.

“Leaving the hospital without my baby girl was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Echo:

Having fun - Erin enjoying her first holiday at four months old

Erin is now enjoying life at home and Danielle is thankful to the NHS heroes at Basildon Hospital who cared for her daughter.

She said: “Sine being discharged, Erin has been completely healthy and that’s all thanks to the incredible staff at Basildon Hospital.

"Our little rainbow baby has lit up our 2020 and made a rubbish year, because of the pandemic, a special year.”

With the second national lockdown upon us, we are looking to shine a light on the wonderful bundles of joy who have come into the world in these testing times. To get involved in our Lockdown Babies feature, simply complete our online form.