Heartbreak for Britain's biggest family as Katie Radford, 22, begs for help after baby son has mystery illness - as she hits out at doctors for dismissing it as 'nothing'
The daughter of parents-of-22 Sue and Noel Radford, from Morecambe, Lancashire, gave birth to her first child, Ronnie Hudson Carter, in October last year.
But Katie - who has starred on the Channel 5 show 22 Kids & Counting - took to Instagram to beg for help after she noticed that something wasn't quite right with her baby son.
She called NHS number 111 to ask for advice on what her son's worrying symptoms could be, after Ronnie wasn't 'calming down'.
Katie said on her Instagram story: 'Thank you everyone for all your messages. I rang 111 as he was so unsettled this morning, nothing would calm him down other than a bath.'
She said he was later diagnosed with shingles, which is an infection that causes a painful rash.
The NHS advises people to ring 111 or get advice from their pharmacist 'as soon as possible' if they suspect someone has shingles.
However, Katie also hit out at two medics who told her that Ronnie's symptoms were 'nothing'.
She said: 'Let this be your reminder to always listen to your gut. I've seen two doctors and got told it was nothing and then after today being sent to the hospital and [they've] said it's shingles!!!'
The mother-of-one shared the alarming statement on Instagram alongside a picture of her son resting in bed.
Although the rash cannot be passed to others, they might catch chickenpox as shingles is caused by the same virus.
The NHS therefore recommends that those with shingles to avoid coming in contact with anyone who is pregnant, has a weakened immune system, babies less than one month old or people who have not had chickenpox before.
Noel first found out their daughter Katie was pregnant after he discovered a positive test in the family home and realised that it must belong to Katie.
At the same time, Noel was planning to whisk Sue away for their 32nd wedding anniversary and accidentally booked a holiday abroad which coincided with Katie's due date.
Their trip to Dubai fell three weeks before Katie gave birth.
However, Ronnie was born early while Sue and Noel were on the flight from Manchester to Dubai, which meant they missed the birth of their grandchild.
At the beginning of a 22 Kids and Counting episode, Katie and Connor are seen struggling to navigate the life-changing news that they are expecting their first child.
The discovery is a shock to Katie, who hadn't planned to fall pregnant with her partner of six years.
WHAT IS SHINGLES?
Shingles is an infection that causes a painful rash.
The first signs of shingles can be:
A tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin
A headache or feeling generally unwell
A rash will usually appear a few days later. In rare cases shingles can cause pain without a rash.
Usually the rash appears as blotches on the chest and tummy but it can appear anyway on the body, including on your face, eyes and genitals.
Source: NHS
Described as the 'most predictable couple' in the family, the two are shocked to find out that their family is about to become three.
'Me and Connor, we like a simple life,' says Katie. 'No surprises, I like to know I'm doing. Me and Connor do like a routine.'
Connor adds: 'I feel like I'm still a kid. I know I'm not but I still act like a kid. I've not grown up yet,' said the hopeful but anxious father-to-be.
But Katie made up for Connor's uncertainty. 'He might have doubt but I don't. Connor, you're going to be an amazing dad,' she says in a heartfelt scene.
And fears quickly turn to excitement when the couple when the couple has their first scan.
'She could go weeks before and that would be when we're out there,' Sue worries.
Trying to reassure her, Noel says: 'It's the first one, they never come early do they. Everything has been booked and paid for - flights, hotels, airport transfer. Don't flap, we'll be fine.'
But things quickly turn sour as Sue insists 'we can't go', arguing she doesn't 'feel comfortable' making the journey as such a time.
With Katie's seal of approval, the couple decide to embark on the adventure anyway - but Sue's worst fears are realised when her 22-year-old daughter goes into labour while she and Noel are on the flight to Dubai.
In a tense scene, a panicked Katie calls Connor and says: 'I can't get through to mum and dad, none of my messages are delivering. I'm absolutely petrified.'
With her parents having just arrived in Dubai, Katie fears that her mother won't be there for the birth.
Immediately jumping on the next flight, Sue and Noel head back towards the airport to return home for the birth of their grandchild.
However, by the time the couple lands back in Manchester, baby Ronnie Hudson has already arrived.
Arriving back too late for hospital visits, Sue and Noel head back to the family home where they attempt to get some rest before meeting the baby. The next morning, Sue reveals she was 'tossing and turning all night' with excitement for meeting the baby.
In a heartwarming moment, Sue finally has the chance to meet the little one. 'I was barely still awake but when I held him for the first time, all that stress of getting back on the flight and everything, was so worth it,' she recalls.
'You don't get those moments again,' adds Noel.
'Bringing a baby into the Radford house, it didn't feel real that it was me and not somebody else - or my mum,' Katie says.
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