Baby Hayden is a natural-born fighter (From Gazette Series)

Baby Hayden is a natural-born fighter

A GAZETTE baby of the year hopeful has proven to be a real little fighter. Hayden Perry, from Wotton-under-Edge, is only seven months old but has already battled against the odds, surviving open-heart surgery.

Hayden was diagnosed with a hole in the heart when he was just two and a half months old.

Mum Sonia, 23, realised something was wrong with Hayden soon after he was born but spent several months trying to convince doctors and midwives.

Mrs Perry told the Gazette: "I thought everything was fine but then I noticed his breathing was a bit fast.

"I mentioned it to the midwife and she said not to worry and that he was just digesting his food."

It was only when Hayden was two months old and Mrs Perry had to see the doctor herself that her local GP started to listen to her.

Mrs Perry said: "I went to see our doctor because I was ill with tonsillitis. We managed to get Hayden seen to at the same time because he wasn't right.

"The doctor listened to Hayden's chest with his stethoscope and went on to get a second opinion from another doctor.

"All at once they were telling us there was a murmur and we had to get Hayden to Gloucester Royal Hospital."

Hayden then spent the next few months in and out of hospital until he had an operation to mend the hole in his heart in late August.

Mrs Perry said: "There were complications in surgery which we weren't told about, but he pulled through.

"I don't think it really hit me until last week what exactly we have all been through.

"I think we coped really well, but only thanks to the help of friends and family."

Mrs Perry and her husband, also called Hayden, 35, have two other children, Jessica, who is five and Charlie, aged three.

Youngest daughter Charlie has Ketotic Hypoglycemia - the most common form of childhood hypoglycemia which means she has low blood-sugar levels, which have to be closely monitored.

Mrs Perry said: "First it was Charlie and then I'm being told Hayden has a hole in his heart.

"We've had great support from people, particularly my sister and close friend Laura.

"They have been my rocks," she said.

Since his operation, Hayden has really come into his own. Mrs Perry said: "At the moment he is trying to crawl, and he is eating and drinking fine."

Hayden has one last check up next week but the Perry family say they are not out of the woods yet.

Mrs Perry added: "He still has a little murmur and they say that will sort itself out but until we know it's gone I can't relax."