Quick-thinking King's Mill staff 'saved our lives', new mum says

Hundreds of babies have been born during lockdown, meaning their birthing stories have been a little different to most people’s experience.

Jade Cusack from Forest Town praised quick-thinking staff for saving her life after she gave birth on April 18 to Roman John Ryan Cusack by emergency caesarean section, when they both contracted sepsis during labour.

The 21-year-old went into King’s Mill Hospital to be induced on April 15, 12 days past her due date, with new lockdown birthing rules meaning she was unable to have her mother by her side until she was in active labour.

The induction began smoothly, with small contractions encouraged by the usual hormone drip, however Jade became concerned after her pain levels increased, despite being given pain medication to ease her discomfort.

Jade explains: “I was in tears crying at only 2cm dilated and the pethidine wasn’t touching it, so I asked for the epidural and finally managed to get some sleep.

“When I woke up I had a really high temperature and my heart rate was through the roof, and so was his – I was terrified.

“I was throwing up and felt so ill in myself I actually thought it was coronavirus, but luckily my mum was allowed to come up to the birthing unit to calm me down.”

After taking her blood, doctors decided she needed an emergency caesarean section for the health of her and her baby.

Test results quickly confirmed that both Jade and Roman had contracted a streptococcal infection and sepsis, meaning any delay could have been fatal for both mum and baby.

Jade cannot thank the hospital’s medical staff enough for all they did both during labour and the days that followed.

She continued: “My mum was only allowed to stay with me until I went back round to maternity, which was scary after just giving birth, but the staff were brilliant.

“They managed to keep Roman with me while we had antibiotics to treat the infections, and staff kept my mind at ease the whole time we were in there.”

They were kept under observation until Saturday April 25 and the staff continued keeping Jade company as much as they could in the circumstances.

Jade gave a special mention to her son’s doctor, Gus: “He was brilliant and looked after him really well, and if it wasn’t for all the staff we encountered I don’t know if we would still be here today.

“They saved our lives and even with the restrictions, they did their best to make it an enjoyable experience.

“We are both doing well and have been home for just over 4 weeks now.”

Roman is now thriving thanks to our wonderful NHS staff who cared for him and his mum until they were both well enough to be allowed home.