A Haldane dad has said his two-week old miracle daughter was the perfect Christmas present, after she arrived 11 weeks early weighing just 2lb 12oz.
Connor McMonagle, 17, opened up to the Lennox about little fighter Aaleigha’s journey, which started when his partner Dionne Davie, 18, had stomach pains that she was initially told to take paracetamol for.
Whilst attending a routine appointment at the Vale of Leven Hospital, Dionne began experiencing a pain that it was believed was her baby touching a nerve whilst in the womb.
The pain quickly worsened, with medics advising Dionne to take paracetamol and rest.
However, her situation quickly became more serious, as Connor explained.
He said: “We got back to the flat but Dionne couldn’t get comfortable at all. She was in severe pain.
“I phoned up the Vale again to see what else I could do, and they said to take an IBS relief tablet.
“She took that and started being sick, so I decided to phone the triage at Paisley.
“They asked us to come in and get checked. When we arrived doctors tried to find a heartbeat, but they couldn’t find it. Then they brought in a portable ultrasound machine which they couldn’t find a heartbeat with either.
“They brought in two additional medics to try and find a heartbeat, and eventually they found one. But it was really low.
“They didn’t know how long it had been low for, and there was a lack of oxygen going to the baby as her placenta was detaching. They said there could also be internal bleeding. She had another quick scan and within two minutes we were told that Dionne would need an emergency C-section.
“She got into a gown and was whooshed away into theatre, leaving me to just sit and try and process everything.”
Whilst anxiously waiting on news, Connor admits he started to fear the worst.
He continued: “When they said emergency C-section I was hit with the shock.
“We were expecting her in February. I just thought we were going up to the hospital to get checked and that we’d get home again. I was completely speechless. I was stuttering. I couldn’t talk at all.
“There were so many thoughts flying through my mind. Would both of them be okay? What happens if I’ve got to sign a bit of paper to say who I’m choosing? I don’t think I’d be able to make that decision. It was all very shocking.”
Whilst Connor faced a nervous wait, medics fought to save little Aaleigha’s life after she was born without a heart rate.
However, their incredible work had a happy ending, as Connor explained.
“She was very, very poorly.
“After help from a wee ventilator and some chest compressions she took a big gasp of air,” he continued.
“Ever since that her heart rate has been amazing. It went straight up.
“She’s now off the ventilator, she doesn’t need a mask to help her breathe. She’s been monitored with a heart sensor.
“She’s progressing very, very well.
“The moment I got to see her my heart just came back up from the floor.
“I was overwhelmed that she was here and she was alright.
“Two days after she was born I got skin-to-skin cuddles.
“As soon as she got the cuddles she put her wee hand up and clasped my finger and held it for the full time. It was incredible.”
Aaleigha is still being cared for by medics at the RAH, whilst Dionne recovers at the couple’s home in Haldane, with Connor keen to pay tribute to the staff at the hospital.
He said: “I think mid-January or the start of February will be when we get Aaleigha home.
“We can’t wait for that.
“Dionne is slowly recovering. She’s overwhelmed that she’s a mum.
“She had some pain after the C-section, but she’s doing very well for someone who has only been out of hospital for a few days.
“I keep saying thank you to the doctors and nurses. I know that’s not enough, but it really means the world.
“My dad told me not to worry because all the nurses, surgeons and midwives are really well trained.
“They are incredible at their jobs.”
