The family of a premature baby born at University Hospital Wishaw, thought to be Scotland’s youngest ever Covid-19 patient, will celebrate her first birthday this week.
Little Peyton Maguire was born eight weeks early on March 26 last year and three weeks later, weighing only four pounds, she was diagnosed with coronavirus.
The tiny baby had developed a “sniffle”, swabs were taken and the test came back positive.
According to the youngster’s parents, Tracy and AJ Maguire, she is now “a wee diva” who is “full of energy” and they have taken the opportunity to once again thank the NHS Lanarkshire staff for the fantastic care she received at the hospital, which is home to the health board’s maternity services.
Tracy, 28, a digital marketing student, said: “She’s started toddling about with the help of a walker and she said her first proper word the other day – ‘daddy’, of course.
“She’s full of energy and we’re delighted how good her health has been since she left hospital and how well she’s doing with her developmental milestones.”
Peyton’s proud dad AJ, 29, a personal trainer and boxing coach, added: “I’m the luckiest dad and husband in the world to see my family so healthy and happy.”
Mum and dad have the perfect gift sorted for their soon-to-be one-year-old.
“She drives us daft by listening to the Baby Shark song all the time so she’s getting a Baby Shark toy for her birthday,” Tracey admitted.
“One of my grans named her ‘the rainbow baby’ because of the joy she brought to us during lockdown and she’s given Peyton a lovely rainbow dress as a birthday gift.”
It’s a lifetime away from this time last year when Peyton was delivered early by c-section.
Tracy had been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition that affects pregnant women, following an appointment with her community midwife.
The newborn was being cared for in an incubator in Wishaw’s neonatal unit when Tracy and AJ were given the news that she’d tested positive for Covid-19, despite having none of the tell-tale symptoms of the condition.
Tracey isolated in the hospital to be by Peyton’s side but it was an anxious time for AJ who was forced to stay home.
“It was horrible for me but it was worse for my husband because he couldn’t be there with her,” Tracy admitted.
The family’s story made headlines as far away as New York and Australia.
“We’ve been in so many papers, magazines and TV shows,” said Tracy.
“The most worthwhile thing her story has led us to do was taking part in the virtual Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group Annual Conference, where I shared my experience with NHS staff.
“I have so much respect for healthcare workers and I’m so grateful staff at Wishaw put their own lives at risk to care for my baby.
“My message to any mums-to-be is that they shouldn’t be worried about going into hospital to give birth because the staff know exactly what they need to do to protect everyone from the virus.”
Tracy is looking forward to taking part in another online healthcare event when she will talk about her experience to student midwives from Napier University in Edinburgh.
NHS Lanarkshire chief midwife Cheryl Clark said: “Happy birthday to Peyton when it comes. We’re delighted to see she is doing so well and has come such a long way since she was a tiny, vulnerable baby in our incubator.
“That’s a tribute to the quality of care provided by all my colleagues.”
