A mum has urged people to "trust their instincts" after a routine check-up saved her baby's life. Millie Temple, who lives in Long Eaton, said her newborn Oakley was "fine" before attending the Long Eaton Health Centre for his 10-day check-up on April 20.
A midwife at the hospital noticed that baby Oakley was "breathing fast" - and proceeded to measure his heart beat and pulse. Remembering the "scariest day of my life", the 25-year-old mum added: "The pulse was too fast to count. "He turned blue and he was floppy. I had a panic attack - it was all just a massive blur."
The midwife called 999 and baby Oakley was transferred to the A&E at Queen's Medical Centre. The mum added: "He had a 340 heart rate. He was rushed to resuscitation.
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"There were 15 doctors surrounding him. It was so scary. They dunked him into a bucket of ice water for like a couple of seconds." She explained: "Usually, heart rates come back down on their own, but Oakley's kept going up and that is why they had to put him in in ice water."
It was discovered that Oakley has a heart condition named ventricular tachycardia - when the heart beats faster than normal. "He takes medication three times a day", the mum said.
But she also said that the outcome could have been very different that day - if the midwife did not take his pulse. "I just want to make people aware", said Ms Temple.
"There were no symptoms - nothing out of the ordinary. Even during the check-up - he was just laying there, looking around. If it was not for the midwife, if she did not pick up on his pulse - he would have died that day. She saved his life. If any parents are in doubt about their babies' heart rate - just trust your instincts. I want to make everyone aware."
Community Midwife Robyn, of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, was working in a post-natal clinic when Ms Temple and Oakley attended the routine check-up. She said she noticed quickly that Oakley had a high respiration rate, meaning his breathing was very quick.
Robyn said: "I assessed him on a changing mat and I couldn’t count his heart rate it was too quick, it just sounded like a vibration. I called 999 and we transferred baby to the hospital promptly.
"I was just so happy that we managed to catch it because it could have been a very different outcome if they hadn’t kept the appointment. It just shows how quickly things can escalate.
"I acted on my professional judgement and knew immediate action was needed but I did need a sweet cup of tea after as it was scary knowing how different the outcome could have been."
Gemma Puckett, Director of Midwifery of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, praised Robyn for her actions. She said: "Midwives are highly trained professionals who are experienced in caring for both women and babies throughout every stage of pregnancy, birth, and postnatally.
"I am very proud of Robyn for how she rapidly responded when she realised something was wrong with baby Oakley, her assessment and subsequent actions meant he received emergency lifesaving treatment and really demonstrates how amazing our midwives are."
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