A COUPLE have raised funds for life-saving equipment for Winchester hospital’s neonatal unit after their baby son died 30 minutes after birth.

Beckie Isaia, 28, and her husband Paul Isaia, 30, want to help other parents with seriously-ill children after they tragically lost their first child.

Their baby, called Peanut, suffered from an undetected tumour near his heart and lungs that stopped him from breathing outside of the womb.

He died at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on May 23.

Expectant mother Mrs Isaia gave birth to 3lb 15oz Peanut when she was 31 weeks pregnant. Before he was born, there were no signs anything was wrong.

Mrs Isaia, from Cudworth Mead, Hedge End, said: “When I went into labour, the paediatricians and consultants said he had a good chance of survival, even though he was nine weeks early.

“They thought he would be okay although he would have to go to the neonatal unit. It was not until after I gave birth that we were aware something was wrong, because he was not able to breathe on his own.

“It was a terrible shock.”

Doctors battled to resuscitate their baby but were unable to save him. He passed away 30 minutes after birth.

A post-mortem examination revealed the undetected tumour. Mr Isaia said: “There was nothing they could have done.”

Even though their baby could not be saved, the couple are grateful for the support they received from doctors and midwives at the RHCH.

Mr and Mrs Isaia, who have been married for three years, were allowed to spend a precious day with their son in a special room in the maternity unit.

Nurses washed and dressed their baby and the couple took it in turns to hold him and say their goodbyes. The baby’s grandparents also visited.

Mrs Isaia said: “The nurses gave us a memory box. They took his hand and footprints to put in the box and we have photos of him. They let us keep the hat they dressed him in.”

The couple nicknamed their son Peanut when Mrs Isaia was pregnant, and had not come up with another name by the time he was born and died.

“No other name seemed right,” said Mr Isaia.

Now – just two months later – the couple have raised £2,250 in their son’s memory to buy a resuscitation trolley to help other sick babies.

Mr Isaia and his two friends Lee Kinchington and Alex Godden did a 55-mile sponsored cycle ride from London to Brighton.

Mr Isaia said: “With the tumour, there was nothing they could have done to save our son, but it is nice to think that in cases where there is something that can be done, the money raised will make a difference.”

Advanced neonatal nurse practitioner Mary Fitzmaurice, who accepted the cheque, said the resuscitation trolley had drawers which made it easier to access life-saving equipment.

She paid tribute to the couple for raising funds for the unit despite their devastating loss, saying: “It is very moving. I would like to give my heartfelt thanks from everyone on the neonatal unit.”