A MOTHER from Barnstaple had a pacemaker fitted after giving birth to her premature baby.

Chantelle Reed, 20, from Roundswell, gave birth to daughter Faith 13 weeks early, on April 10. Faith weighed just 2lb 6oz.

HAPPY FAMILY: Mum and dad Chantelle Reed and Gary Hemmings with baby Faith and her brother, Alfie, aged 18 months. Below family pictures of Faith in hospital aged 6 days, left, and 24 days, right. Main picture: Mike Southon Ref 1007-99_02

As well being born premature and in the breech position, Faith's birth was just the start of what Chantelle describes as an "incredibly traumatic time for the whole family".

She said: "Faith was actually stillborn and it took the doctors more than half-an-hour to bring her back to life.

"After giving birth, my heart rate dropped below 30 and the doctors were very concerned.

"They diagnosed me with a congenital heart block and said I would need to have a pacemaker fitted."

It also transpired that Faith's premature breech birth had caused her to have a heart murmur and hormone imbalance which would leave her needing intensive hospital care for the next 13 weeks.

Chantelle said: "It was terrible, a very scary time for us all.

"Two days after being born, the doctors asked us if we wanted to switch off the life support machines.

"But we were determined not to give up on her. That's why we decided to name her Faith.

"Over the following 13 weeks, Faith spent all her time in hospital in Barnstaple, St Michael's in Bristol and Derriford in Plymouth."

During this time, Chantelle and partner, Gary Hemmings, 24, had to rely on Chantelle's mother to care for their other son, 18-month-old Alfie.

Faith was discharged from hospital on Friday, July 9, and the pair said they were delighted to have their baby home.

Chantelle said: "Due to the hormone imbalance, I have to give Faith two injections a day and doctors say she may have learning difficulties in the future.

"However, this never once made me question our decisions. I carried Faith inside me and brought her into this world so there was no way I would give up on her.

"I decided to contact the Journal in the hope it would help others who are going through a similar situation.

"Before the birth I saw programmes on TV about difficult births and you always assume it will never happen to you.

"But when it does it can be petrifying and I want people out there to know they are not alone and that there is hope.

"The whole experience has been a rollercoaster but it will always remind us to have faith."