Saved by mother’s instinct

A mother’s instinct saved her daughter who was born with a condition that meant she could not feed.

Sinead Olivia Watson’s stomach was not connected to her oesophagus — and the condition was not detected for four days.

She was born at Nottingham City Hospital on August 27, weighing 6lbs10oz.

Doctors were ready to send her home three days later but her mother, Miss Emma Owen, 21, of Winston Court, Newark, raised concerns.

Miss Owen said although Sinead appeared perfectly normal she knew something was wrong as her daughter had been unable to feed.

Miss Owen said: “It’s true what they say about a mother’s instinct. I saved her life because if she had gone home she would have died.”

Miss Owen said she was worried because doctors had performed emergency scans before the birth to ensure Sinead had a stomach.

After Miss Owen raised her concerns, doctors checked Sinead’s medical notes and realised she had a condition called tracheo-oesophageal fistula that meant her oesophagus, which carries food from the mouth, was not connected to her stomach.

The condition affects one in every 35,000 babies.

Sinead was transferred to the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, where, at five days-old, she underwent a successful operation to join her stomach and oesophagus.

Two weeks later her parents were able to feed her through her mouth and she was allowed home.

Sinead will have to undergo regular check-ups throughout her life.

Miss Owen and Sinead’s father, Mr Stuart Watson, 22, are raising money for the QMC.

Mr Watson said he knew his daughter was special from the moment she was born.

“You couldn’t wish for a better daughter or a better baby,” he said.

“She’s not like a normal baby because you have to feed her in a certain way, put her to sleep in a certain way and bath her in a certain way, but she’s worth it.

“If the hospital had sent us home and we had waited a few more days before surgery she wouldn’t be here now.”

Mr Watson, a security officer, said they were grateful to staff at the QMC for the help they gave Sinead.

Miss Owen thanked family and friends for their support.

The couple are holding a raffle at The Old Kings Arms pub at 7pm on Saturday to raise money for the neonatal unit at QMC.

They are also selling items at Newark Car Boot Sale, Newark lorry park, to raise money and are organising a charity sky dive next year.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or give items for the car boot can contact the couple by email at emzaere@hotmail.com or via Facebook.