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Original poster

Hand hold - I had to give my baby CPR

136 replies

BatmansBoxers · 29/03/2019 06:27

My little girl. She had bronchiolitis and was discharged from hospital but the next day I thought she looked sleepy and wasn't feeding well. I thought maybe theyd keep her and give her the NG tube back, but I sat in the back of the car with her while my mum drove is back in because I didn't think she looked right and she seemed to be shallow breathing.

She turned yellow, her eyes rolled and then stayed open, she made a horrible gasp and then just...stopped. She just stared completely unresponsive.

We were on a motorway and had to pull over and I called 999 and I had to resuscitate her but she still wouldn't breathe and I keep worrying I did it wrong because her chest didn't rise. She kept gasping but only a couple of times a minute, and I keep seeing her just staring at me glassy eyed.

Paramedics took over when they got here and they got her back but it was so so so horrible. There were loads of consultants there when we arrived and they managed to sort her out but told me had we been minutes later she would've died.

She's currently in hospital on CPAP, the diagnosis is a new infection that's turned into pneumonia and it collapsed her airways but I feel so upset by what's happened I don't know why I'm writing this just need someone to listen and tell me she'll be okay I guess

OP posts:
Original poster
BatmansBoxers · 29/03/2019 12:45

She's on optiflow now and they've taken her drip out.

They let her home because the original infection was clearing but this is a new one :( they're worried she may have a problem with her chest

OP posts:
WhiskersOnCats · 29/03/2019 12:48

When will you have the results back re Cystic Fibrosis?

purpleboy · 29/03/2019 12:52

You sound fantastic. We done for keeping a calm head and saving your dds life. Hats of to you op ThanksHalo

M3lon · 29/03/2019 12:55

so sorry to hear you had such a traumatic experience. I hope they can get to the bottom of what is happening with her repeated infections.

Cake to keep you going.

PopWentTheWeasel · 29/03/2019 12:56

OP, when I learned how to do CPR, they said to get back in touch if we ever had to use it, because it is terrifying, even doing CPR on an adult who is a complete stranger (collapsed in the Post Office queue etc.), and they can talk you through it. What you did was amazing and kept oxygenating blood flowing around her body until the paramedics could take over. Much respect to you.

Give yourself time to process this shock before tackling what might be wrong with her chest. When doctors have a probable diagnosis they will let you know. Don't google or frighten yourself. Take the time to comfort yourself, and be there for your girl, and catch your breath. You can tackle whatever the pulmonary condition is when you have a definite diagnosis.

Original poster
BatmansBoxers · 29/03/2019 13:04

They're testing her once the infection has cleared and under advice of a respiratory consultant.

Her blood cultures are negative meaning she didn't have sepsis which was what they were worried about when she came in.

I hope it's not CF but I know two people with that who have managed it quite well so we will find something to help her if it is, I just don't want her to keep crashing like this.

OP posts:
BlooperReel · 29/03/2019 13:06

You are an amazing Mum, you saved your babies life. She is now in the best possible place and you are in shock, be gentle with yourself, talk if you need to talk, or cry, or punch a pillow, whatever helps xxxx

HomeEdRocks18 · 29/03/2019 13:06

You are so brave, and your daughter is lucky to have you as her mum.
You are amazing.
My daughter had bronchiolitis a few times when younger. She is 6 now and has asthma. It flares up usually in damp conditions. She has an inhaler at home. If she's really bad she is prescribed prednisalone and this reduces the inflammation in her tubes.

ohfourfoxache · 29/03/2019 13:11

You, my darling, are incredible Thanks

You saved your baby. You kept calm and did what you had to do.

You should be so proud of yourself, you kept a clear head and just got on with it.

Now is the time to be gentle to yourself. You’ve been through a horrible thing and you need to look after yourself. Dd is in the best place, try to rest as much as you can. And please try to eat/drink - I know you won’t feel like it, but you need to keep your strength up.

Sending a gentle x

aintnothinbutagstring · 29/03/2019 13:11

You've done and are doing a great job OP Flowers I've been there with ds who was in and out of A+E for the first 18months with repeated chest problems, couple of ambulance trips, I was like a headless chicken most of the time and so so anxious. Nobody tells how to deal with a child with chronic condition. DS manages quite well these days, he's 7, has inhalers but it certainly doesn't give us the stress it did in the early days. Hopefully your DD has just been unlucky but keep an eye on it.

DearTeddyRobinson · 29/03/2019 13:26

OP. You are a hero. Not everyone can have the presence of mind to react like you did. You stayed calm, you listened to your instincts, and you saved her. While you must be in a state of shock now, I hope you can find some reassurance that your baby can rely on you to keep her safe, and that she's in the right place now.
I sort of know what you must be going through, my LO had meningitis at 3 weeks old. Looking back it's like an out of body experience. Hang in there ThanksThanks

theWarOnPeace · 29/03/2019 13:28

Very rarely does a post bring me to tears. Something about the terror and urgency of yours just tipped me over the edge.

You must have found some super human reserve inside yourself, to have been able to physically take action and keep your baby going.

As PP said you’re probably in shock. Even when my children have had much lesser medical problems, I have felt like I get something like a mild case of shock. I feel weak and confused and can hardly speak or listen, and like I could sleep for a thousand years. For something this scary and life-threatening, with such a tiny baby, I think you should pre-emptively ask for counselling. Seek support in real life, but keep coming back here and letting it out, as and when you need to. When it comes down to it, MN can be a wonderful hand hold, people are so full of sympathy and kindness.

SanFranBear · 29/03/2019 13:31

I can only echo what a lot of posters said but you did everything right and saved your DD's life Flowers

I hope they can get to the bottom of what is causing her problems and you're soon all home again. Take care of yourself and I liked the idea of speaking with the chaplain at the hospital - regardless of faith, there is something so calming about the areas reserved for worship in hospitals which may help you come to terms with what happened.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 29/03/2019 13:36

Sending love, hope she is well soon. You did great.

SouthernComforts · 29/03/2019 13:45

Sounds like you did an amazing job OP. And look after yourself for a few days, no doubt you'll be in shock after that.

Also, my dd had a horrendous couple of years of back to back chest infections and one long stay for pneumonia. They tested for CF twice and it wasn't, and once she got over that run she's been much better since Flowers

Ilovemysleepthief · 29/03/2019 13:49

Sending you and your baby love 💖

Nacknick · 29/03/2019 14:07

Just to say if it is CF she will get the best care possible and there is every chance of them curing it in her lifetime as there is so much positive research going on. I have CF, I was diagnosed 4 years ago which is surprising as I'm 53! PM if you want to.

Flowers
SofaSurfer20 · 29/03/2019 14:16

You know if it wasnt for you doing what you did, your daughter wouldnt be here?

You saved your childs life. X

LakieLady · 29/03/2019 14:53

Wow, OP, I'm so sorry you had to go through this, but my god you are AWESOME! Flowers

To keep your cool in a situation like that takes real guts and you did amazingly. I'm not surprised you feel in need of a handhold, a shocking thing like that really takes it out of you emotionally. Be kind to yourself, and talk to anyone who will listen.

I really hope your little girl gets well soon. After dealing with this, I should nothing can phase you now.

You are a truly remarkable woman, and I take my hat off to you.

More Flowers, a handhold and a very un-MN hug. And if you're not BF, some Gin, too!

needsleepzzz · 29/03/2019 14:59

OP you are AMAZING! Flowers and hugs and the best wishes in the world for your baby girl

Strokethefurrywall · 29/03/2019 15:02

Jesus Christ OP you poor thing. I've no words, you must be in such deep shock.
I'm glad your baby is recovering in hospital. Treat yourself gently, you've had a huge emotional trauma as well 💐

AlwaysColdHands · 29/03/2019 15:02

You are AMAZING!
A great reminder to anyone to do some 1st aid training too
Best wishes for her recovery x

Maegeri · 29/03/2019 15:06

Another Mum here who has been through the same thing, my DS was 8 days old and it was in the house. I gave him CPR and we were airlifted to hospital. You need to look after yourself, it is a massive shock and will take some time to get over but you will get though it. After it first happened I found myself thinking 'what if?' a lot. This didn't help and I had to keep telling myself that its pointless worrying about what could have happened, you did what you needed to do and your DD is in a safe place now. My DS is a strong 12 year old now and although I will never forget it, it is just a distant memory. Amazing that you coped so well on the motorway, you should be proud of yourself.

Original poster
BatmansBoxers · 29/03/2019 15:24

She's doing okay. She's opening her eyes and seems like herself. They're going to do a SALT review as they think she might be not swallowing properly which may be causing her chest infections.

OP posts:
SoftBlocks · 29/03/2019 16:25

Amazing. You are so brave. Flowers My very best to you and your family.

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