Stillborn Brit baby 'comes back to life after 25 minutes'

London, Mar 3 (ANI): A British baby girl who died in the womb and was stillborn amazed doctors by coming back to life after 25 minutes.

The drama began moments after Rachel Claxton, 32, and her partner Jason Anderson, 33, marvelled at the arrival of their new daughter Ella.

But despite a seemingly uncomplicated birth, Rachel's placenta had ruptured during the labour, restricting the baby's oxygen and blood supply, reports the Daily Mail.

When midwives at the Peterborough District Hospital realised little Ella was close to death, it was decided that only a dramatic reduction in temperature could save her.

A faint heartbeat was detected but there were fears that the baby's brain had been starved of oxygen for too long as she had been clinically 'dead' for 25 minutes.

Doctors employed a new technique, which induces a state of hypothermia and, crucially, reduces the risk of brain damage.

Thanks to that treatment, today at nine months old, Ella is happy, healthy and enjoying as many of her mummy's cuddles as she likes.

"The doctors told us to prepare for the worst and that they didn't think she would make it through the night," said Rachel.

"They said that even if she did survive, she would have serious brain damage and might not be able to walk or talk. But we didn't care as long as our baby was alive. That was all that mattered to us." She added.

Ella was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where a new freezing treatment was used to reduce the damage to her brain.

A cooling blanket took her core temperature down from around 37 degrees Celsius to 33.5 degrees Celsius, reducing the swelling around her brain.

After 72 hours, Ella's temperature was slowly raised by half a degree at a time until it was back to normal.

Then at 11 days old, she was finally allowed to go home with her parents.

Ella still needs some physiotherapy, but scans have shown no brain abnormalities.

The amazing story has emerged now because Rachel is campaigning to have the treatment more widely available.

"In the hospital, I couldn't wait to hold her for the first time and give her a warming hug. We still can't be sure of the future or what problems she might face, but so far she's gone from strength to strength," said Rachel.

"She's our little miracle and every day she gives us new hope," she added. (ANI)