Sterilised mum: My miracle baby stopped breathing three times

Maeva McDermott was born with a severe breathing condition

A baby girl who was conceived after her mother was sterilised has survived a severe breathing condition that put her in intensive care.

Maeva McDermott was born in Edinburgh on 27 June with an acute case of laryngomalacia, which causes tissue to fold into the airway.

Less than two weeks later, the condition caused her to stop breathing several times and Maeva had to have two operations.

She spent six weeks in a critical care unit and a further three weeks in a hospital ward before she could go home with her parents Beth and Shaun.

Beth, 33, described Maeva as her "miracle baby" following the scare.

"She's been a fighter from the get go because she's had to fight her way to get into the world and now this," she said.

"She's just amazing, she's just a wee miracle, she really is.

"It's obviously still a long road ahead and I can't even explain how scary a time it's been.

"The pain, terror and heartbreak we have gone through since our special girl came into this world has been awful."

'She was grey'

Beth, who has a painful spinal condition, decided to get sterilised last year after doctors advised her not to have any more children.

Months later she discovered she was pregnant again and Maeva was born at 37 weeks weighing 5lbs 15oz. A baby is considered premature if born before 37 weeks.

Because of the laryngomalacia, Maeva's breathing was noisy and she was kept in the neonatal unit for nine days before going home.

Less than two weeks later, Beth took the newborn to the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People as her breathing had not improved.

Doctors said there had been "failure to thrive" because Maeva had not gained much weight and her oxygen was low.

While in hospital, she stopped breathing three times.

Beth said: "I was in pure shock and the colour she went, I will never forget it. She was grey and her lips were blue, like what you see in the movies.

"I just thank God I trusted my instincts and took her to hospital that night because if it had happened at home I dread to think what would have happened."

Maeva McDermott with her dad, Shaun

Surgeons had to perform the operations quickly, Beth said, as Maeva did not respond well to anaesthetic and her oxygen levels were dropping.

"The surgeries were really touch and go," she said. She was tiny - only 2.89kg (6lbs 3oz). But the surgeon said he had to do the surgery even although he knew it was touch and go to save her life.

"He said he had to use his specialist smallest tools to get in but he said there were some tools that just wouldn't fit because she was so small and her airway was so restricted."

Maeva spent six weeks on a ventilator and had two operations while the family stayed in a room run by Ronald McDonald House Charities next to the critical ward.

Now she is at home with her brothers Sonny, seven, and Corey, 17 months.

Maeva with her brothers Corey and Sonny

Doctors told the family that often children grow out of the condition, but because Maeva has a severe case she may have to have future operations and treatment.

Beth says Maeva still has a feeding tube because she has difficulty swallowing - but is doing well.

She said: "We are hopeful when she gets a bit bigger and stronger her swallowing might get a bit better and she might be able to come off her feeding tube.

"She's gaining weight now and doing big smiles for us."