A family who vent viral after they announced their pregnancy as if it was a football transfer are urging parents to trust their instinct after complications with their son.

Gillingham fans Sean McHugh and Amy Jordan announced the 'transfer' of their son on Facebook in September, which gained more than 25,000 likes.

The pair welcomed baby Carter Ray into the world on Saturday, December 22, while they were away on a trip in Nottingham, three months before his due date.

Now, after having to live out of the city hospital while their son was treated for a bleed on the brain and pneumonia, Sean, 26, from Herne Bay and Amy, from Riverview, Gravesend, are speaking out to help others.

Amy, a teacher at Langafel CofE Primary School, in Longfield, said: "On the Friday before my baby was born, he was quieter than normal, to barely nothing at all. I carried on with the day aware the morning was different.

"I tried different things throughout the day, ice cubes, poking my stomach, laying on my side, but nothing happened. I thought it might just be a lazy day.

"Later in the day we went back to our hotel and I laid down and he wasn't kicking like he normally would, and I knew something wasn't quite right. We ended up calling Darent Valley Hospital and they told us to go to Nottingham City Hospital to get checked over."

Tests were carried out.

Amy continued: "I had the Doppler [an ultrasound] and they put on a trace for an hour where they noticed his heart rate spike and dip. I then had ultrasounds and while the doctor was poking, my baby wasn't moving and his heart rate continued to go up and down and the doctors knew he wasn't happy.

"I was monitored for a long time by doctors and consultants and had to have Carter by C-section. It was the most crazy night and I never expected it, but now I have my beautiful boy who's six weeks old."

After recent stories of babies "avoidable deaths" at the QEQM Hospital in Margate the couple wanted to encourage other parents to get help if worried.

"The reason I'm saying this is, as a mum, if you feel something's wrong make sure you get checked. If you only get the Doppler but still aren't convinced, insist on having a trace.

"I've been told many times how lucky I was I noticed he wasn't moving as it could've been a different outcome," the 21-year-old added.

"I never dreamed of Carter arriving that night, but I went to get checked and that was best for him."

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