A HEARTBROKEN Southampton couple has spoken of their heartache after their baby son was "born sleeping".

Danielle Cronin, 23, has told of her "strong days and hard days" following the death of her firstborn child, Saxon David Darby.

The contract manager and her partner, Brett, went to a routine midwife appointment at Princess Anne Hospital when she was 35 weeks pregnant.

However, during the check-up, the midwife was unable to find a heartbeat and Danielle was sent for a scan.

She has since described the moment she "screamed" after hearing the tragic news confirmed by two doctors.

"I screamed the place down," she said. "I was in total shock."

Danielle was induced and their son was "born sleeping" on April 1 at 6.36pm at Princess Anne Hospital.

"It was really hard, " Danielle said, who lives close to the city centre.

"There are days when we are strong but there are also days when I cry constantly."

Danielle described baby Saxon as "the most beautiful little angel I have ever met".

She has said there were no indications she would lose her baby during her pregnancy.

And, that his death came as a complete shock.

"We weren't expecting anything to go wrong this far along, we thought that there might be problems at the beginning," she said.

"It's going to be really hard whenever we have another child because it will always be a worry to us.

"We didn't have any indications during my pregnancy that this would happen to our gorgeous little boy and it came as a complete shock to everyone."

Danielle and Brett do not blame the hospital or staff for their loss. 

However, they are now trying to raise funds to give their baby "the best possible send-off".

They plan to give him a horse-drawn carriage and a memorial headstone.

The couple is hoping to raise £4,000 and so far £765 has been raised.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/w374zx-saxons-funeral-fund