THE mum of a newborn baby who struggled to breathe just moments after being born has praised the dedicated midwives and doctors at Barrow's maternity unit for saving his life.

Within seconds of being born at Furness General Hospital, Seth Orson Fullard started struggling to breath and his parents were given the devastating news that his condition was serious and he would need to be transferred.

Mum Christina Howker-Fullard, whose pregnancy had been textbook with no complications, was heartbroken when she was told she could not join her newborn son until she herself was well enough for the journey to the Royal Preston Hospital.

"For several days we didn't name him, as I was longing to first see him with his eyes open and hopefully off the ventilator," the 37-year-old said.

"It was so strange never having even heard him cry."

With the unwavering support of "wonderful midwife" Paula Brown, who stayed with Christina until long after Seth's birth on October 25, and even made regular calls for condition updates, the mum-of-two built up her strength so she could travel to Preston.

Thankfully, a bed was made available at Preston's maternity unit the day after Seth was transferred and Christina and her husband Mark could be by their newborn son's side.

"Seth fought hard and did well," Christina, of the Promenade on Walney, said.

"Despite diagnoses of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome, severe perinatal asphyxia, hypoxic ischemic encephalitis, persistent pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, and sepsis, Seth went from strength to strength."

After Seth's sedation was slowly reduced, he began to make a remarkable recovery, removing his own breathing tube and finally breathing on his own. He was then able to return to FGH.

By now, Christina was suffering from exhaustion, regularly expressing breastmilk for Seth and travelling to and from the hospital. But, she said "the hardest part was the emotional drain of being away from my elder son Max".

Four-year-old Max is on the autistic spectrum, and his dependence on routine and his mum's attention had to be balanced with visiting Seth in hospital. Max was unable to meet Seth until he had returned to FGH.

"Max's first glimpse of his brother was at the Special Care Baby Unit at FGH and it was something I found very difficult, dividing my attention between the two of them and explaining to Max why Seth had tubes and wires and was in an incubator," Christina said.

But with the "incredible support" of nurse Kim Jones, who helped Christina by patiently explaining everything to Max, and making sure the mum and her newborn son had a private room, Seth was able to go home to his family the following day.

"People are often quick to criticise and complain when local services are lacking but I have nothing but thanks and praise for the maternity and Special Care Baby units at Furness General," Christina said.

"I remain forever grateful to everyone from the midwives to the cleaners to the consultants, who helped me and Seth through it all.

"The early treatment he received saved his life and protected him from severe damage.

"Not only did all the staff we encountered behave professionally and efficiently, they were also kind, patient and thoughtful, with many going above and beyond what I believe would be expected in order to do whatever they could to help us. We cannot thank them enough."

Wells, director of midwifery, gynaecology and obstetrics at the University

Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, which runs FGH, said: “Our maternity service team at Furness General Hospital pride themselves on always working to offer the best possible care and experience to local women and families, and it is delightful for all of us to hear when they have made such a positive impact on someone’s experience.

“As midwives, we get to share a unique and precious moment with women and their families, and I know my team continually work hard to support women in the best way they can that meets their individual needs and wishes whilst ensuring their safety and that of their babies.

“I am so pleased to hear that Seth is doing well, and I will certainly pass on his mother Christina’s kind words and thanks to Paula and the rest of the team.

"On behalf of my team and the trust, I would like to wish Christina, Seth and their whole family all the very best for the future.”