The family of a baby who died at one week old said they have been "devastated" by the loss.
Freya Keeton was born asphyxiated and was clinically dead for 23 minutes before being revived. Her mum Rachel Rostron’s pregnancy had been without issue, and her cousin Lizzie said they did not think "anything like this would happen to them".
Freya was kept alive on a ventilator for a week before Rachel from Formby and her partner Jack Keeton took the decision to turn off their daughters' life support.
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Lizzie Smith, 24, told the ECHO: "It was so difficult for Rachel, all of her scans came back fine and I got a text on Monday to say she was not feeling well. Then the next thing I heard she was going into labour.
"We waited for five hours for news and I was told she was going in for an emergency c-section but the longer it got I knew something was not right.”
Lizzie who grew up with Rachel, 27, said Freya let out a "little cry", then her heart stopped and it was her complications at birth that led to Rachel and her dad Jack turning off her life support a week later. Lizzie said she got to hold Freya's hand and it was a moment she will never forget.
Lizzie said: "We really thought that she would pull through and I don't think we thought it would happen to our family, we have never dealt with loss. The family did not sleep for that whole week, it was awful.
"Rachel and Jack had to make the brave decision to stop the treatment, Freya had no quality of life, and passed away in her mum and dad's arms.
“I don't think we had processed it, until the funeral, and it is so hard to know how to act after something like this. None of us have been through this before and I would not wish it on anyone.”
Lizzie along with Rachel's best friend Charlotte are now taking on a series of challenges to raise money for Claire House who helped the family through the difficult time. Charlotte is doing a skydive while Lizzie and her family are taking on the three peaks challenge.
Charlotte Mawdsley, 26, said: "This is just a way to remember Freya but Rachel is so strong and is doing amazing considering what has happened. She and Jack are just supporting each other.
"It is hard to comprehend what they are going through and they were so excited for the baby but all their families are doing their best to support them. We will all be there for them."
If you would like to donate to Lizzie's page click here and for Charlotte's click here.
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