### Swansea Family Endure Heartbreaking Ordeal After Newborn’s Critical Fight for Life
A young family from Pontarddulais, Swansea, has spoken out about the devastating ordeal they faced after their first child developed life-threatening complications just moments after birth—a story now inspiring gratitude and charity efforts for the NHS teams who helped save their son.
Lauren and Alex Kiley were overjoyed in anticipation of the birth of their baby in 2024, following an uneventful pregnancy. However, joy swiftly turned to anxiety in the latter stages when Lauren’s midwife noticed an unusual presentation, prompting a precautionary scan. The results revealed that the baby was positioned feet first—a breech presentation—requiring a planned caesarean section at Singleton Hospital, Swansea.
The surgery itself proceeded without incident, and the couple welcomed a baby boy, later naming him Theo. But their joy was quickly overshadowed by fear when doctors explained that their newborn son was struggling to breathe and required immediate transfer to intensive care. In a matter of minutes, the first-time parents faced a terrifying unknown.
Alex described the surreal atmosphere of the neonatal intensive care unit, a place he had never imagined visiting. “There were doctors and nurses crowded around his incubator. I didn’t know at the time if that was normal,” he shared. The couple were unable to hold their son or enjoy the crucial early moments together, as Theo was placed in an incubator for urgent treatment.
Medical staff soon broke the news that Theo was suffering from persistent pulmonary hypertension and respiratory distress syndrome—serious conditions preventing his lungs from functioning properly. To make matters worse, a diagnosis of sepsis followed. While Lauren recovered from surgery, Alex spent a day anxiously walking between the two, both parents kept apart from their ailing newborn.
On the third evening, the situation reached a breaking point. Staff at Singleton Hospital called the couple to a private room to discuss Theo’s prognosis. “They informed us they were running out of options,” recalled Alex. “We were told to consider memory boxes for keepsakes, because at that moment, it looked as though our son wouldn’t make it.” The emotional impact was profound, with both parents breaking down in tears—a universal fear for anyone in their position.
The only remaining hope was a highly specialised treatment called ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). However, the resources for this life-saving intervention were only available at select centres, including London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). There were no guarantees, as Theo would only be transferred if he became stable enough, and a bed was available.
In a poignant moment, Lauren and Alex finally chose a name for their son: Theo, meaning ‘brave’ and ‘gift from God’ in Greek. The intensive care team worked tirelessly to secure a transfer, and on the fourth day, a bed opened at GOSH. Theo was prepared for a critical flight to London, while his parents made the harrowing journey by road, separated from their baby once again.
Upon their arrival, the couple were greeted by the specialist team at GOSH and relieved to learn that Theo’s condition had improved and that he would not require ECMO after all. He spent two further weeks in neonatal intensive care before being transported back to Swansea, where he continued to recover. Eventually, after another fortnight in hospital—including further time in the ICU—Theo was finally discharged home.
Now, with Theo’s health much improved and regular check-ups confirming his steady progress, Alex determined to repay the hospitals for their lifesaving support. Along with Theo’s grandfathers and friends, he organised “The Great Hospital Walk”—a 190-mile charity trek from Swansea to London in aid of both Singleton Hospital and Great Ormond Street. The journey was grueling, but it brought much-needed closure and gratitude for the family.
Reflecting on their experience, Alex shared, “It was extremely tough to be away from Theo, but seeing pictures and videos of him motivated me. The support from hospital staff and fellow fundraisers, along with memories of everything we’d survived as a family, kept me going.” The walk marked the end of a harrowing chapter, and the beginning of one deeply marked by thanks and resilience.
The Kiley family’s journey is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by parents and medical staff alike during moments of crisis, as well as the extraordinary care provided by the NHS in times of need. Their efforts to give back are now offering hope and support for other families facing similarly daunting challenges.