Baby Noah fights on after op by surgeons to repair hole
The parents of a baby born with a hole in his diaphragm have thanked surgeons for the life-saving operation which he underwent just a week after he was born.
Noah James-Slater, now aged four months, was rushed to our Children’s Hospital for surgery, after it was confirmed he had Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH).
The serious condition means the diaphragm fails to fully form and can lead to limited lung growth and development and severe breathing difficulties.
Medics suspected he was suffering from the condition during a 24-week scan and mum Nervern was referred to the Fetal Medicine Team at our Women’s Hospital. She was put under special care for the duration of her pregnancy.
The mum-of-two said: “Every day we look at Noah we’re filled with love. He’s our special little fighter.”
Noah’s dad Matthew added: “His big brother loves him so much and treats him with so much care. He’s a fantastic role model for him.
“We’re both so thankful to everyone at both hospitals. So much happened during those two weeks after he was born and everyone was so kind to us, we’ll always remember them for what they did for us and for Noah.”
Baby Noah was born in January 2026 but spent the first five days of his life on the Neonatal Unit with specialist breathing equipment until he was stable enough for surgery.
Matthew added: “As a father I felt so helpless. I would do anything for my children but there was nothing I could do.
“The staff were incredible, but eventually they had done all they could do and said to us that it was over to him to start fighting.
“And he did. After two days he made a turn for the better.”
Nervern, a 38-year-old teaching assistant, added: “I prayed a lot and my faith kept me strong. I never gave up hope and I knew so many people were behind us praying for me and our family and that really helped me.”
When he was stable, Noah was transferred to the Children’s Hospital where he’d receive the lifechanging operation to repair his diaphragm.
“There were still so many uncertainties and risks,” Matthew said: “Because of where his organs were, they couldn’t get a clear view of his lungs and wouldn’t know the full extent of any damage until he was in surgery.”
Noah was in surgery for nearly five hours, where experts carefully repaired a hole in his diaphragm.
Matthew added: “When we got the call to say he'd pulled through, it was the best feeling of our lives. It felt like we’d won the lottery ten times over.”
Nervern said: “We were there to welcome him out of surgery. We could see him trying to breathe on his own for the first time and it was remarkable. He still needed support, but he was so strong.”
Noah spent another week in hospital learning to breathe on his own before he was well enough to go home to his big brother Ethan for the first time.
"He’s doing so well now and we can’t thank the staff enough for looking after our precious boy.”