A MUM was left devastated when forceps delivery caused her baby daughter to have a stroke.
Honey Attridge, 39, was in hour 36 of labour when her baby’s shoulder became stuck – leaving medics no choice but to pull the tot out.
Just 24 hours later, baby Sophie, now four, stopped breathing, and medics discovered she had suffered a stroke caused by the trauma of her arrival.
“I thought my baby was going to die,” the mum-of-one from Farnborough, Hampshire, said.
But after ”fighting for her life” in intensive care at St Mary’s Hospital, London, for three weeks – she was finally able to go home.
Sophie was left with mild cerebral palsy from the difficult birth, and mum Honey was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The mum is now keen for other parents to know it’s ”okay to ask for help”.
Honey, now a peer support worker for the Maternity Trauma and Loss Care service, said: “The day after I gave birth to Sophie, I went to see her in intensive care, and she suddenly stopped breathing.
“She was blue and having seizures, and I burst into tears when she was put on life support.
”For the first weeks of her life, I couldn’t hold or feed her – I was living a nightmare.
“I couldn’t eat or sleep, and I felt like I failed as a mother.
I was scared to touch her and didn’t enjoy being a mum because I was on edge all the time
Honey Attridge
“But with the right help, things got better, and mums need to know they are not alone.”
Honey and husband, Rob Attridge, 41, who works for Transport for London, had been trying for a baby for three years before discovering they both had fertility issues in 2016.
The pair were on an IVF waiting list when Honey fell pregnant naturally three months later.
The mum went into labour at 38 weeks, but despite wanting a natural birth, medics rushed Honey into the theatre for an emergency forceps delivery.
‘Worst nightmare’
Sophie was born at 3pm on October 20 2019, weighing 9lbs 3oz.
She said: “After 36 hours of labour, I was rushed to theatre.
“Her head was out, but her shoulders were stuck – there was no way of delivering the rest of her naturally.
“I only caught a glimpse of her before they took her to NICU.
“I carried her for so long and it was hard to watch her being taken away.”
After 24 hours in intensive care, Sophie was transferred to St Mary’s Hospital where an MRI scan revealed she’d had a neonatal stroke.
A stroke is a very serious condition where the blood supply to part of your brain is cut off.
The baby spent the next three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before the couple could take her home.
But what was meant to be a happy moment for the pair quickly became Honey’s “worst nightmare” as she became “terrified” of her own baby.
She said: “We felt guilty taking our healthy baby home because we knew it wasn’t going to be the same for everyone.
“When we got home, I struggled to not have the amazing care that we did at the hospital.
“I was scared to touch her and didn’t enjoy being a mum because I was on edge all the time.
“When Rob went back to work, everything spiralled – I stopped sleeping, eating and leaving the house, and I spent all my time watching her.
“I hated being left alone with her because I was terrified that something bad would happen.”
After a “heartbreaking” five months of motherhood, Honey was referred to a specialist Perinatal Clinical Psychologist, where she was diagnosed with PTSD.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination.
It’s caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy are not usually obvious just after a baby is born. They normally become noticeable from an early age.
Signs can include:
- Delays in reaching development milestones – for example, not sitting by 8 months or not walking by 18 months
- Seeming too stiff or too floppy
- Weak arms or legs
- Fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements
- Random, uncontrolled movements
- Walking on tiptoes
- A range of other problems – such as swallowing problems, speaking problems, vision problems and learning disabilities
The severity of symptoms can vary significantly. Some people only have minor problems, while others may be severely disabled.
She went through 10 months of therapy and claims it changed her life for the better.
Honey said: “After a few sessions, I already felt calmer and more relaxed around my baby, and I knew it would only get better.
“I also spotted the charity Bliss on social media, and it was a relief to know I wasn’t alone.
“I’ve become so determined to raise awareness that I’ve given evidence to the birth trauma inquiry for the APPG along with others to help women and families get the specialist Perinatal MH services they need.
“Sophie is happy and healthy, and I know how lucky I was to get the help I needed.
“We have regular appointments for her cerebral palsy, and she is doing amazingly.
“She loves bug hunting, spending time with her cousins and reading, and we are so proud of her.”
The signs of stroke in children
THERE are around 400 cases of childhood stroke every year, according to the Stroke Association.
The reasons for a stroke in babies and kids is likely to be different, depending on a child’s age.
There are two types of stroke:
- ischaemic – caused by a blockage in blood supply to the brain
- haemorrhagic – caused by a blood leak from a burst blood vessel in the brain
Both types are equally common in kids, but in adults 85 per cent of strokes are ischaemic.
Strokes in babies – during pregnancy and up to 28 days old – can be caused by blood clots breaking off from the placenta and lodging in a baby’s brain.
Or it can be caused by a blood clotting disorder, either from mum or baby.
In kids from 29 days old to 18, strokes are caused by infectious diseases, trauma to the head or neck, vascular problems or blood disorders.
In many cases, there will be more than one contributing factor.
Signs your baby could be suffering a stroke, include:
- babies up to 28 days old tend to suffer seizures
- weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- facial drooping
- speech problems
- headaches
- vomiting
- seizures
If you’re concerned about your baby seek medical help straight away
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
