A premature baby who wasn’t breathing when he was born has today met the ambulance team who saved his life.
Baby Carter came into the world on 7 October 2018 when his mum Claire Stephens went into very early labour at her home in Leicester at just 24 weeks.
Realising she wasn’t going to make it to hospital in time, Claire’s partner Jonathan called 999 and call handler Amy Mee talked Jonathan and his mum Karen through the delivery.
But when tiny baby Carter arrived, the cord was wrapped around his neck and he wasn’t breathing.
Immediately Amy began giving CPR instructions to Jonathan and his mum to give baby Carter the best chance of survival.
Claire said: “It all happened so quickly that it felt like a dream. One minute I was getting ready to push and the next Carter was here.
“I remember seeing he wasn’t breathing, and I began to panic but my partner Jonathan was brilliant following Amy’s instructions to help our baby boy. It was such a relief to see him breathing again.”
Within thirteen minutes, paramedic Denise Swinburne, and emergency care assistant, Nikki Franklin arrived explaining that baby Carter needed to get to hospital immediately. They were followed by a second ambulance crew of paramedic, Annabel Bradbury and technician Martyn Wheeler, who transported Claire to hospital.
Weighing just 1.5lbs, Carter was transported to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he stayed for a number of weeks battling sepsis and relying on oxygen.
Thankfully in January he returned home to his family and is now a happy, healthy and smiley baby.
Denise said: “Baby Carter was very poorly and he was so tiny, the size of a hand. Thanks to the actions of his dad and grandma he is still here and Claire and Jonathan can enjoy their time as new parents.
“It is a lovely outcome to see him doing so well.”
Claire said: “I can’t thank the crews enough for everything they did. Their quick thinking and actions in such a calm way helped in what was an awful situation.
“We won’t forget what they have done for us and I am so pleased we are able to share this moment with them.”
