‘My Daughter Completed Our Family – Hours Later We Were Given Devastating News’

When Zoe Davies arrived at Glangwili Hospital to give birth to her third daughter, she believed she was completing her family. The delivery went smoothly, and baby Madeline was initially declared healthy.

But within just four hours, everything changed.

Around midnight, doctors told Zoe and her partner Matthew that their newborn had suffered an “unexpected collapse”. Madeline’s oxygen levels were dangerously low, her temperature couldn’t be measured, and she was critically ill.

A sudden fight for survival

Staff worked urgently to stabilise her, but it became clear she needed specialist care only available at Singleton Hospital in Swansea. She was transferred the next day.

There, doctors delivered the news every parent fears: Madeline had persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) — a rare, life‑threatening condition where a baby’s lungs fail to adapt after birth, preventing oxygen from reaching the bloodstream.

Zoe said she had raised concerns earlier at Glangwili, feeling something wasn’t right as Madeline struggled to feed and began choking, but said her worries were initially dismissed.

By the time the seriousness was recognised, oxygen had already been starved from Madeline’s brain.

‘We had to prepare for the worst’

At Singleton, doctors were brutally honest.

“They told us she was very critical and we needed to prepare for the worst,” Zoe said.  

“I was completely distraught. We couldn’t even process what was happening.”

Madeline wasn’t responding to attempts to stabilise her. Each time staff tried to reduce her reliance on machines, she deteriorated.

Doctors eventually told the family there was one final option: a heart‑and‑lung bypass at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

A newborn airlifted — and a mother collapsing

At just two days old, Madeline was airlifted to London.

The trauma of the birth, the emergency transfer and the shock of the situation caused Zoe to collapse on arrival. She was rushed to University College Hospital, where she was treated for sepsis for five days.

Meanwhile, Matthew was left travelling between two hospitals, unsure if either his partner or his daughter would survive.

A long road — and a miracle recovery

At Great Ormond Street, doctors managed to stabilise Madeline. After 10 days she was transferred back to Singleton, where she spent four more weeks in intensive care, receiving the highest level of ventilation.

Against all odds, she was discharged on June 3.

For two months she needed medication every four hours and constant monitoring at home. Over the past nine months, her treatment has gradually been reduced.

Now approaching her first birthday, Madeline is meeting her milestones — something her parents once feared might never happen.

‘Miracle Maddie’

Zoe has undergone therapy after being diagnosed with PTSD, describing months of flashbacks and trauma.

But today, she says her daughter’s strength continues to amaze her.

“We call her Miracle Maddie. She’s everything we hoped she’d be and more. She’s strong‑willed, busy, determined — even in hospital she kept trying to pull her tubes out as if to say, ‘I’m fine’.”

Madeline now has regular cardiology and lung checks, but her progress has been remarkable.

Giving back to the hospitals that saved her

To mark Madeline’s first birthday, Zoe is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Singleton Hospital.

She is organising a charity family fun day at Betws Rugby Club on April 25 and will take on the Three Peaks Challenge on May 16.

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