A Kirkcudbright couple celebrated their first Christmas at home with their baby boy who was born a month premature. Faith Shields had to undergo an emergency C-section after a scan revealed that little Leo had a heart rate of more than 230 beats per minute. Little Leo then spent the first couple of weeks of his life in ICU in Glasgow. However, he is now happy and healthy, ready to spend his first Christmas in Kirkcudbright with his parents, Faith and her partner Ryan Singleton.
Teacher Faith expressed their excitement for Christmas, mentioning that Leo won’t know any differently. Faith, who had been due to give birth on August 27, had a routine midwife appointment a month earlier that revealed a potential problem. She had to quickly head to DGRI in Dumfries, where she underwent the emergency C-section procedure while Ryan, who works as a road worker for Amey, rushed to the hospital.
Leo was born at 36 weeks, weighing six pounds and six ounces, but with his heart rate still alarmingly high, he was transferred to a hospital in Glasgow for further care. Faith praised the medical teams in both Dumfries and Glasgow for their amazing care and support during this challenging time.
After spending time in Glasgow, Leo was eventually allowed to leave on August 13, and Faith mentioned that although it felt like a long time, it was only a couple of weeks after he was born. Now, nearly five months old, Leo is thriving in Kirkcudbright. Faith expressed her joy over Leo’s health and happiness, noting that they just need to monitor his heart rate closely.
Reflecting on their journey, Faith considers herself lucky to have had that crucial midwife appointment that led to Leo’s early arrival. The family is looking forward to making special memories during this first Christmas at home together in Kirkcudbright.
In a heartwarming story of resilience and gratitude, a Kirkcudbright couple’s journey through unexpected challenges has led to a joyful first Christmas at home with their baby boy. Little Leo’s premature arrival and initial health concerns were met with exceptional care and support from medical teams in Dumfries and Glasgow. As Leo continues to thrive, his parents, Faith and Ryan, are cherishing every moment and looking forward to creating lasting memories as a family.