Dad inspired to change career after daughter's life was saved at Birmingham hospital

Richard Parry left his career as a betting shop manager behind and went back into the health profession following his new-born daughter Lily-Louise Parry’s stay at Heartlands Hospital.

In 2017, his wife Kate had experienced a typical pregnancy until her 27-week scan when they discovered she had hydrops fetalis – a life-threatening condition causing fluid build-up in a baby’s body.

Worryingly, they were told Lily-Louise only had a five per cent chance of survival.

Kate underwent underwent two shunt procedures to drain fluid and had frequent scans to monitor progress. At 29 weeks, she was then diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.

At 32 weeks and four days, a scan revealed flow to the umbilical cord had stopped, the placenta was enlarged and, and the fluid was returning.

Kate’s pre-eclampsia worsened, and Lily-Louise’s heart-rate dropped leading to an emergency c-section. Lily-Louise was born weighing just two pounds, 14 ounces.

Lily-Louise then spent over 12 weeks in the Neonatal Unit where teams provided vital care and support.

Recalling her experience Kate said: “My pregnancy was completely normal until (27-week scan).

“I went for a regular growth scan, and I could just tell something was wrong.

“The sonographer was silent, and we were sent to Heartlands Hospital, where our baby was diagnosed with hydrops.

“We were told she had less than a five per cent chance of survival and might not make it through the weekend.”

But the care lily-Louise received when she was born proved to be inspirational for her dad.

Richard said: “They didn’t just care for Lily-Louise, they cared for us too. The nurses helped us feel like parents despite the tubes and wires.

“They celebrated every achievement and milestone with us and explained everything patiently.

“I had previously worked in healthcare and wanted to get back into it, but I wasn’t sure about nursing and was working as a betting shop manager at the time.

“After a few weeks on the unit, I realised, ‘I want to do this.’ The team provided amazing care and made the worst time of our lives bearable, and I wanted to support other families in the same way.”

He began an access-to-health course, achieving outstanding results, before earning a first-class degree in paediatric nursing from Birmingham City University.

Since qualifying, Richard has worked in paediatric roles at Heartlands Hospital, including the Neonatal Community Outreach Team and now works with the Diabetes Team.

Richard added: “Working alongside those who inspired me was surreal; they felt like super heroes to me.

“In all the roles I’ve had since qualifying, I have been working with families with sick children or children requiring long-term support.

“Each time I meet a family for the first time, I remember that feeling of fear and uncertainty and bear that in mind when supporting them.”

Today, Lily-Louise is thriving and about to turn eight. Kate said: “She’s our miracle.

“Without her, we wouldn’t have her sister or the life we have now. The neonatal staff fought for her and with us every step of the way.”