Premature Babies

 

Another baby survives near “cut-off” point in Great Britain, mother calls on government to revisit “guidelines” for non-treatment of babies born before 24 weeks gestation

By Dave Andrusko

Miracle baby: Rachel Crockett with son Connor Walkow

The latest in a string of stories about premature babies surviving in Great Britain continues to challenge the “guidance” by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine that it is “in the best interests of the baby, and standard practice, for resuscitation not to be carried out” if the baby is under 24 weeks.
A little over a year ago Rachel Crockett’s water broke while she was in a McDonald’s. She told the Leighton Buzzard Observer that at that point

“I was 23 weeks and two days pregnant, which is just short of the 24-week cut off point.

“It was a real panic for us, we didn’t know what to do at all. We were told that they [doctors at Milton Keynes Hospital] said they couldn’t do anything for us but Craig and I pushed them to ring other hospitals.”

Given that the baby was less than 24 weeks gestation, Crockett believed, “After talking it through with them I thought that was it, the baby we wanted we would not be able to get.”
But for whatever reason—perhaps the persuasiveness of Crockett and Craig Walkow or perhaps (as the story indicates elsewhere) because they demanded that Connor Walkow be treated–“We were so relieved when John Radcliffe Hospital said they would take us, though they could not promise they would be able to help.”
Connor Walkow tipped the scales at just 1lb 2oz when he was delivered October 3, 2013.
Connor was placed a polythene sleeping bag to mimic being in the womb, according to the Mirror.

“The freezer bag was used to replicate the warmth of Connor’s mum’s womb, as premature babies are susceptible to hypothermia.

“The bag comes up to the baby’s neck and feeding and oxygen tubes are also used to keep the baby alive.

“It is used in premature babies because they are too tiny and their skin is too thin for an incubator to provide the environment they need.”

Subsequently, Connor began an arduous seven-month stint in the hospital where he was treated for a series of major medical problems.
Eventually he came home to celebrate his first birthday with family.
“His birthday crept up very quickly and we had such a busy weekend, there were so many presents and people,” said Crockett. “We’re waiting to see what his development is like but at the moment he is just like an eight-month-old baby. He is not mobile yet but he rolls and loves his toys.”
Her experience has prompted Crockett to call on the government and the National Health Service to reexamine procedures surrounding the births of premature babies and roll the cutoff point back to 20 weeks. She told the Mirror

“We were told to say goodbye to Connor and that we wouldn’t see him again. It felt like the end of the world, we were numb.

“We just had to sit there and wait for the nurse to say the worst, there was such relief when they told us he was OK.

“Later on the consultant came by and looked in on him – he could not believe Connor looked so well.”

Crockett also told the Leighton Buzzard Observer

“I think the cutoff point and abortion limit should be lowered, considering what happened with Connor. With him they said that as my waters had broken and he didn’t come out then he shouldn’t have had a heartbeat, but he did.

“Without the transfer to John Radcliffe, Connor would not be here right now, at that age I believe they should be helped.

Source: NRLC News