Baby Finn: A mother’s instinct saved her baby

“As a paramedic, I know firsthand about infectious diseases like RSV, so when my ten-week-old baby became unwell in October last year I kept a close eye on him.  

Although Finn’s symptoms were mild – congestion and little interest in feeding – my gut was telling me that something was wrong.  

After nine days of these symptoms, I noticed that the skin around Finn’s ribs was sucking in. This is a tell-tale sign of respiratory distress, so we went to the hospital.   

I was told Finn had RSV and to go home and monitor him.  

I never took my eyes off him and when he continued to deteriorate we returned to the hospital, this time adamant we were NOT leaving. 

As Finn lay in my arms with a pulse oximeter on his tiny fingertip, I saw the oxygen saturation level drop to 86%. I panicked, knowing that anything lower than 85% can cause brain damage.  

I called out and a medical team swooped in – my baby no long in my arms; rather the care of experts who were trying to save his life. 

The stress was incredibly as my husband and I waited five hours for Finn to respond and for oxygen saturation to return to a safe level.  

Our RSV experience was harrowing. It’s so traumatic to see your tiny baby in a state of distress for so long.  

A doctor told us if we hadn’t have brought Finn to hospital when we did, we may have lost him. 

Thank goodness for my medical training. But more importantly, thank goodness for my amazing mother’s instinct.” 

Kirah Allis, Alexander Heights, Western Australia