Premature Baby Freya Bones-Mottershead was born on March 5, 2021. After she was born, the doctors diagnosed that she had a rare case of duodenal atresia, a condition when babies are unable to digest any nutrients or milk. The baby made it to three major operations in three months and is now a happy and healthy baby, Manchester reports.
Double bubble and duodenal atresia
The doctors said Freya had a sign of "double bubble", a prenatal diagnosis that is often associated with duodenal atresia. Babies with duodenal atresia need surgery within a few days of life, the Cleveland Clinic says. It is a condition where the first part of the baby's duodenum (small intestines) has a closure. The closure causes a blockage, preventing the passage of milk and digestive fluids.
The condition is considered rare, as one in 7500 babies are affected by the condition worldwide.
Most babies with duodenal atresia experience vomiting in the first few hours after birth, and after the first feeding. Babies may also experience low birth weight, premature birth and swelling in the upper abdomen.
The second and third surgery
After the first surgery, Freya was building her strength. After eight days, the doctors noted that she was getting bloated. Doctors later discovered that she also had a perforated bowel, which requires another surgery to bring her intestines out.
Perforated bowel is a hole in the lining of the colon. When this condition happens, the contents of the digestive tract can leak out from the hole, leading to a life-threatening or fatal infection.
Weeks after her second surgery, doctors have to perform a reversal surgery to put her organs back inside her tiny frame.
A challenge for parents
Freya's father, James said that the situation was difficult for them as a couple as he had to work majority of the time. The mom, Kristy was on maternity leave and she wanted to be in the hospital as much as possible.
Kristy has to deal with the doctors as they provided her with a stream of "good news" and "bad news," he said. He felt guilty as he could not be present physically to support her partner properly. The couple was unable to introduce their baby to family and friends as it was at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At some point, the couple could not stay in the ward together because of COVID-19 rules. Their families had to be introduced through pictures and a couple of video calls.
The couple was unsure if Freya could make it through the surgeries, hence, they relied on the NHS staff for support. After three months, Freya was finally sent home and is now a happy and healthy baby.
James said that it was a tough, emotionally draining time, particularly for her partner, Kristy. How she got it through on her own, and her mental resolve continues to inspire him to this day. The couple was unsure if Freya could make it through the surgeries, hence, they relied on the NHS staff for support.
Almost after a year, the grateful parents are now aiming to raise £1,000 (around USD1,323) for the NICU staff who saved their life and kept them going through their three-month ordeal.
