Please note this story contains details of baby loss and could be upsetting for some readers.
A Glasgow couple, Katie McArthur (27) and John Fry (27), are praising staff at the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, after their daughter, Hope McArthur, spent the first six months of her life in their care.
Baby Hope was discharged on the 30th of December 2024, just in time to start 2025 with her family.
Katie and John have experienced an emotional journey. On the 30th of July 2024, Katie unexpectedly went into labour with her twin girls at the Royal Alexandra Maternity Hospital, just 23 weeks into her pregnancy. Their first daughter, Faith, was born quietly and was quickly taken by the medical team for urgent care. Shortly after, Hope was born, remarkably still inside her amniotic sac. The midwives quickly popped the sac, and Hope entered the world with a strong cry, much to her parents’ relief.
“We were told to rest while both babies received immediate medical support due to their premature birth,” Katie said. “Shortly afterward, the team delivered the devastating news that Faith hadn’t survived. They brought her to us, and we spent some precious time with her.”
The next moments were a blur for Katie and John. Hope was rushed to the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, with John accompanying her. They were met by a team of medical professionals ready to provide the necessary care. Katie and Faith were transferred shortly after to join them.
“Hope seemed to be doing okay initially. She weighed just 461 grams and was fed through a tube while in an incubator. However, on day five, her condition worsened,” Katie explained. “Her heart rate kept dropping, and she required resuscitation. It was discovered that she had a brain bleed and a perforated bowel, necessitating emergency surgery.”
Despite the challenges, Hope recovered from the surgery but faced ongoing health issues, including low oxygen levels, difficulty gaining weight, and the need for a stoma bag and additional surgery. “It was a rollercoaster ride,” Katie said. “The medical staff saved our baby girl time and time again.”
The family had hoped to be home for Christmas, but it wasn’t possible. “The staff allowed us to stay overnight on Christmas Eve. Santa visited the wards, and we all woke up together on the 25th. It was really lovely,” Katie said. “Then, on the 30th, we got the all-clear to go home.”
Katie emphasised the exceptional care they received. “We were never short of support. We are incredibly grateful to all the hospital staff. Now, we are home, and it’s time to enjoy our baby girl.”
Lesley McGuire, Senior Staff Nurse at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) said: “We are all absolutely delighted to see Hope finally getting home with her family. Looking after Hope and her family was a privilege, and we will miss seeing little Hope’s smiley face on our neonatal unit. As a team we are all dedicated to ensuring that parents are cared for as much as our babies.
“Hope is settling in well at home and Katie and John have promised to keep in touch and we are all looking forward to seeing her progress.
“NICU is a place where miracles really do happen!”
