A baby boy underwent life-saving surgery at just four hours old after being born with his bowels outside his body.
Ashton Daley and her partner Tom Greenwood were terrified when they discovered there was something wrong with Albie at a 10-week scan.
Doctors at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in West Yorkshire told the couple he had developed a condition known as gastroschisis – which meant his bowels were growing outside of his body.
Ashton Daley and her partner Tom Greenwood were terrified when they discovered there was something wrong with Albie (above) at a 10-week scan
They were sent to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) for further tests and he was closely monitored over the months that followed, before Miss Daley was induced three weeks early in October – on Friday 13.
Miss Daley, 28, from Huddersfield, said: ‘We had never heard of such a condition and didn’t know what to expect, but the doctors reassured us there were no other complications and provided us with lots of information.
‘It was so worrying knowing his condition was getting worse but until he was born there was nothing anybody could do about it.
‘I was so scared to do much while I was pregnant and time seemed to pass very slowly.
‘My eight-year-old son Jacob also knew there was something wrong and that his mummy wasn’t herself which made him anxious – it was a bad time for us all.
‘Albie was induced three weeks early on Friday, October 13.
‘Although, Friday 13th in an unlucky day for some, for Tom and I, it was the most amazing day as we got to meet our son for the first time.
Ashton, 28, from Huddersfield, said: ‘We had never heard of such a condition and didn’t know what to expect, but the doctors reassured us there were no other complications and provided us with lots of information’
‘Even though we had been expecting it, it was a massive shock to both of us to see the extent of the condition and how much of his bowels were protruding outside his tiny body.
‘The doctors quickly whisked Albie away leaving Tom comforting me in my hospital bed.’
Albie underwent the corrective surgery to move his bowels back into his abdomen at just four hours old and the operation was a success.
Now his parents are to take on the gruelling Tough Mudder Mud Run to fundraise for The Sick Children’s Trust which supported them with free Home from Home accommodation while he recovered in hospital.
Miss Daley said: ‘We had heard about Eckersley House at LGI run by The Sick Children’s Trust during one of my visits to LGI when I was pregnant, but a room didn’t become available for us for a few days.
‘During this time I stayed on a ward at the hospital which wasn’t very comfortable so it was a huge relief for us when we could move into a Home from Home.
Albie underwent the corrective surgery to move his bowels back into his abdomen at just four hours old and the operation was deemed a success
‘That’s exactly what Eckersley House became for us – a place that felt like home. We stayed there for three weeks until Albie was discharged and I can’t describe how amazing it was to have somewhere to stay so close to his bedside.’
Eckersley House is run by The Sick Children’s Trust, a charity which supports families with free accommodation while their child is being treated in hospital.
Fortunately Albie recovered and was discharged after just four weeks. He was given the all clear at his most recent hospital visit.
Mr Greenwood’s brothers, Matthew, Chris and Will, and Miss Daley’s friend, Rosie Campbell, are also fundraising.
Mr Greenwood, 25, said: ‘Being able to give back to the charity that supported Ashton and I is very important to us. My brothers and I are all fitness fanatics so this seems like a good challenge to take on.
‘We are hoping to raise at least £5,000 in the months leading up to the race which will take place next June. We can’t thank the charity enough for what they did for us.’
To support the couple, visit their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thomas-greenwood