Cuckfield mother stricken with Covid gave birth 12 weeks early

Sophia Egeler, 33, was only 28 weeks pregnant when she went into labour and her baby son Axel weighed just 2lb 15oz.

It was at the height of the pandemic and both Sophia, director of Fresh Agents Modelling Agency and Simply Shoot Locations in Brighton, and partner Austin Ejuetami were suffering with Covid when Axel was born on December 30, 2020.

Axel when he was born at 28 weeks (Image: Sophia Egeler)

He was whisked away for specialist care and Sophia was not allowed to hold him.

Austin, who works in product development at the London Stock Exchange, had not been allowed to be present at the caesarean birth.

Sophia, who lives with her family in Cuckfield, said: “As we both had Covid, I had to do the whole thing on my own and then he was taken straight away and intubated.

“For any mother with a premature baby, it is like a rollercoaster.

“One minute they could be doing well and then it could all just go the opposite way.”

Axel underwent heart surgery at 20 days old and spent three months in intensive and special care at both the Trevor Mann Baby Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Special Care Baby Unit at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, as well as a week in Evelina Children's Hospital, London.

Following the birth, Sophia had to isolate for nine days due to having Covid, while Austin had to isolate for five.

She said: “It was really tough but even when I did start the visits it was only one parent at a time."

Sophia and Austin met Axel together only twice in the space of three months after the birth (Image: Sophia Egeler)

During the challenging time, the couple's experience was made easier by the Early Birth Association, a charity which supports babies, families and staff on the Trevor Mann and at the Princess Royal.

The charity also helps to fund new and vital equipment such as incubators and ventilators, as well as running vCreate, a system which helps parents stay connected with premature babies through messages and pictures facilitated by nurses, a service Sophia found invaluable.

Now her brothers are taking on a challenge to give back to the charity that supported her.

Theo and Thomas Egeler, alongside friend Callum Morrison, all from Hove, have been inspired to take on a major challenge to raise funds for the Early Birth Association.

Left to right- Callum Smith, Theo and Thomas Egeler with Axel (Image: Sophia Egeler)

Together, the trio will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, on June 27.

They set off on their travels to Tanzania this week and the climb will take them seven days to complete.

Theo, 19, said: “Axel radiates strength and determination, which we will take with us to summit the mountain on June 27.

“Together, let's climb for a cause and make a real difference in the young lives of those who need it most.”

Axel, now 3 (Image: Sophia Egeler)

Sophia said: “It’s so special because at the time Axel was in hospital no one could do anything for us.

“Now, it feels like this is their way of helping. They’re doing it to give back and help others.”