'They are all our heroes': Telford hospital staff thanked for saving mum and baby daughter
A mother has thanked hospital staff in Telford for saving the life of her and her baby after she suffered a rare and dangerous complication during labour.
Twelve-week-old Betsy Cheal was born almost four weeks prematurely by emergency caesarean at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital after her mother Abigail Hulme, from Newport, suffered a uterine rupture.
The condition, which affects less than one per cent of all births, caused Betsy to dangerously slip into Abigail's abdomen.
Abigail and her partner, Luke Cheal, said that medical staff reacted instantly, saving both her life and Betsy's.
Betsy was born weighing 6lbs at 8.24pm on November 5.
They returned to the hospital to thank Dr Will Parry-Smith, obstetrics and gynaecology registrar at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, who performed the caesarean, and midwives Leona Gollins and Abi Panayi.
Ms Hulme, who is also mother to five-year-old Daisy, said: "After my waters had broken, I was admitted to Princess Royal Hospital. I had to be induced, and was labouring well, but then I started to feel terrible pains between my contractions, and they could find no stable heart rate for Betsy.
"As soon as they had pressed the emergency button, we were in theatre in minutes. Betsy was in my abdomen and had been there for eight minutes.
"Will is our hero, he saved our lives. They are all our heroes, they were amazing.
"It wasn't just the birth. The aftercare we received from everyone was just amazing too. Luke was allowed to stay and they found a bed for him so he could be with us.
"I honestly cannot credit the hospital enough. We were treated with absolute care and respect.
"It was lovely to be able to come back in and say thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who had helped us. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of the staff who helped us.
"Their constant support of myself and Luke will never be forgotten. She is such a contented baby and is already sleeping through. She is our little miracle."
Dr Parry-Smith added: "Abigail developed a life-threatening complication during her labour. An emergency caesarean section was required to ensure the safe delivery of baby Betsy and the wellbeing of Abigail.
"The team at SaTH worked rapidly and skilfully together to keep mum and baby from harm.
"Uterine rupture is a rare but serious complication that through team work, training and professionalism on this occasion had a good outcome.
"It was a delight to see baby Betsy and her parents again. We always enjoy seeing our patients and families again."
