1 minute read
Carter-Jay’s Story
Carter-Jay was diagnosed with gastroschisis before his birth in March 2023 at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. His parents had been seen by the surgeon and neonatologist, so they knew what to expect after he was born.
Gastroschisis is a rare condition which affects roughly 1 in 3,000 babies each year. It meant Carter-Jay would be born with his bowels on the outside of his tummy, and surgery would be needed to put them back.
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Carter-Jay would be unable to have the operation at Liverpool
Women’s Hospital as operations like these can only be done in a specialised children’s hospital with full paediatric surgical facilities such as Alder Hey.
Within 3 hours of his birth, Carter-Jay was transferred from Liverpool Women’s Hospital to Alder Hey where surgeons were waiting to take the new-born to surgery. The operation was a success, but following an infection a couple of weeks later, he had to go back into surgery. Thankfully he was discharged from Alder Hey and is now recovering in the comfort of his own home.
Carter-Jay and his family are looking forward to booking their first holiday together, which they are planning for September.
Dad Karl said:
The new building will help set you up for life at home, getting used to all living together and caring for your little one.
“We are also so happy to have our boy as an inspiration to other mums and dads going through what he’s going through, and happy to show them that these little babies are fighters!”
Speaking about the new Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit being built at Alder Hey, Karl explained that facilities such as family rooms would have eased their experience while Carter-Jay was in the hospital. He said: “We missed him so much at night, and a lot of times we had sleepless nights worrying about him.
“The new building can also help set you up for life at home, getting used to all living together and caring for your little one.”
Mum Sophie said:
Thank you to all the nurses on the neonatal unit for their close comfort and help throughout this tough time
For more information about how you can support our Surgical Neonatal Appeal please contact: tracey.wilson@alderhey.nhs.uk
