Matt and Laura’s story
Matt and Laura live in Somerset with their one-year-old, Sam. We spoke with Matt and Laura about their experience after Sam was born.
Talk us through what was happening in March 2024
In March I was 24 weeks pregnant with Jack, and Olive was 17-months-old. Olive started with really heavy breathing around 3 March, so we took her to the GP who checked her over. They thought she had Croup so said she was fine to go to nursery.
By the time the 8 March came around, Olive had started with sickness and diarrhoea that evening. She slept with us that night and we kept an eye on her, holding the sick bucket.
The next morning she wouldn’t eat or drink, and she was very lethargic – we could barely wake her up. There was a really distinctive smell that filled the room she was in.
Did you tell anyone about your worries?
My sister is a nurse and suggested that Olive needed to be seen by a Doctor…
Initially, I called 111. I talked them through her sickness and diarrhoea but they were more concerned by Olive’s breathing that they could hear in the background. They told us to go straight to A&E.
The doctor kept her in overnight and gave her fluids. The next day, I noticed a mottling on her body. I showed my sister, who told me to get a doctor to come and look at her as soon as possible. When the doctor came, Olive was coughing up blood. She was quickly incubated and put into an induced coma. We were rushed to a specialist hospital where she spent nine days in intensive care.
They found that Olive had strep A, rotavirus (which explained the distinctive smell) and MRSA – one of which had caused her to have sepsis. The nine days in intensive care were so scary as she was so unwell.
What was it like bringing Olive home?
We were all so relieved to have Olive home and well, but bringing her home was like having a newborn again. This was very difficult whilst I was still pregnant with Jack. She had to learn to eat again (going back to soft foods), walk again due to losing her toes, and we had occupational therapists and physiotherapists supporting. Olive had gone from walking independently, to barely being able to walk when I was holding her hand.
After two months, she finally took her first steps again, just two days before her little brother Jack was born.
How is Olive now?
Olive has lost all of her toes and the tips of all of her fingers. She has been working really hard on her motor skills.
The reason I share Olive’s story is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms that a baby or child is unwell, or has sepsis. I also want to urge parents to trust your gut! I knew something was different.
I’m so pleased I called 111. I know how dangerous hesitation can be. The thought of leaving it any longer than I did to call absolutely terrifies me. You know your children more than anyone else. It’s always better to make that call than not to call. And if you feel like the answer isn’t good enough, or you still feel worried, make another call or seek another opinion.
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