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A young mother told her baby died in the womb gives birth to ‘miraculous’ son after ‘instinct’ told her doctors were wrong
- Hannah Cole was told her baby had died because staff couldn’t detect a heartbeat
- But the 27-year-old insisted on a final scan, which found he was still alive.
- Inquiry into the Bradford Royal Infirmary incident has concluded
A mother is celebrating the birth of her ‘Christmas miracle’ after being mistakenly told her baby had died in the womb.
Hannah Cole, 27, was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) after her water broke early at 20 weeks.
Doctors told her the next day that the baby had died after they were unable to detect a heartbeat, and Hannah was scheduled for induced labor.
But an ‘instinct’ that her son was still alive prompted Hannah to ask the hospital for a final exam and that’s when doctors found a heartbeat again.
Hannah Cole, 27, celebrates the birth of her ‘Christmas miracle’ Oakley Cole-Fowler (pictured), who was born prematurely in October.
Oakley Cole-Fowler was finally born in only 24 weeks and three days old on October 30, weighing 780 grams.
The heads of the hospital have apologized for “the anguish and anxiety caused” to the family.
Hannah said: ‘It’s been stressful and up and down.
‘I was in the ICU. She has been absolutely brilliant.
I’m relieved. It has been a roller coaster. He is my Christmas miracle.
The young mother was admitted to Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) after her water broke early at 20 weeks.
Doctors told her the next day that the baby had died after they were unable to detect a heartbeat, and Hannah was scheduled for induced labor. But an “instinct” that her son was still alive prompted Hannah to ask the hospital for one last scan, and that’s when she found a heartbeat.
Oakley is scheduled to be in the hospital until at least her original due date of February 9, 2023.
Hannah, from Wibsey, West Yorkshire, described Oakley as a “little fighter” and said some months have been a roller coaster.
Little Oakley underwent an operation when he was just eight days old after being diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis, in which tissues in the intestine swell and die.
She also had a stoma bag fitted and is facing more surgeries next spring.
Hannah said, ‘Hopefully we’ll be able to bring him home in a couple of months.
“I feel a bit lost right now because he’s not home.”
Oakley is scheduled to be in the hospital until at least her original due date of February 9, 2023.
The young mother explained that while Oakley was once on a ventilator, he is now breathing without assistance and has “advanced by leaps and bounds”.
She added: “I can’t wait to bring him home and we can be a normal family.”
Hannah has complained to the BRI about the treatment she received during her pregnancy with Oakley.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust confirmed that an investigation into the events surrounding his scans in October has now concluded.
A spokesperson said: ‘We have concluded our investigation which is now shared with Ms Cole.
“We would like to send our congratulations to her and her family on the birth of Oakley and wish the family the best on their long neonatal journey.”
In October, Sarah Hollins, director of obstetrics at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for the distress and anxiety caused to Ms Cole regarding the treatment and care received during your current pregnancy.