Parents who were told their new baby boy could be stillborn have thanked the “amazing” staff at Watford General Hospital who they say saved his life.
Roman Robertson-Smith weighed little over four pounds after his mother Shannan underwent an emergency caesarean on September 9.
Shannan, 21, was 36 weeks into her pregnancy and at their local hospital in Colchester, Essex on September 7, when doctors said her baby needed to be born.
Knowing that a neonatal unit may be required, Shannan and her partner Stewart, 23, were told there was not enough beds for mum and baby so calls were frantically made by staff to find another hospital.
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The couple already knew the birth was not going to be straightforward after they learnt 22 weeks into the pregnancy that Roman was not growing as he should be.
Shannan had numerous scans and check-ups in the following weeks, and at 30 weeks, they were warned their baby may not survive.
The need to move hospitals added to the family’s stress but Watford General came to the rescue, and last Friday, Shannan was transferred to a private room at the hospital.
A few hours later, at 5.24pm, baby Roman was born and not a day too soon.
Stewart said: “We have been told that if he was left inside for one more day, he would have been born sleeping.”
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The couple, who met while working at a hotel, have also heaped praise on the care they received from the maternity unit at the hospital.
They said: “We were stressed and annoyed but Watford were so calm and understanding.
“All of the doctors and nurses were reassuring, they were so lovely. We had a midwife Bianca who didn’t leave our side and a lady called Jane who was amazing.
“We have nothing but praise for the whole team, they are our saviours. They were absolutely sublime.”
Born in a private overlooking Vicarage Road stadium, dad Stewart, who supports Man Utd, says he will bring Roman up as a Watford fan.
The family have been led to believe the pregnancy complications were caused by problems to the placenta, but Roman is already at home recovering and the family are hopeful he will begin to grow soon.
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