Oh boy! Family’s first son in 5 generations
FOR the Berrimans, it’s the photo they never thought they would find in their family album.
Five generations spanning nine decades, all in a row. And while just a year ago it would have been a line- up of women, this time they had Arnie – the first male Berriman born in a century.
If his arrival wasn’t already special enough, that he was born with his intestines outside his body and survived a series of infections made him even more of a miracle. At one point on life support and given 24 hours to live, Arnie pulled through. And now, as he reaches nine months, the Berrimans are celebrating having a boy in the family after an unbroken run of ten girls.
Mother Demi Berriman, 27, of Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said: ‘Everybody’s in awe of him, we’re just so lucky to have him.’
Grandmother Donna Berriman, 43, greatgrandmother Janice Berriman, 65, and greatgreat-grandmother Beryl Vaus, 86, all adore him. Donna said: ‘We absolutely loved it when he was born. I honestly thought Demi was going to have a girl, but I was wrong.’
Great-great-grandmother Beryl had three sisters and gave birth to three girls including Janice, who had two including Donna. The last boy is thought to be one of Beryl’s uncles.
They found out Arnie’s sex while Demi was pregnant. But the celebrations were put on hold when another scan showed Arnie had gastroschisis, a birth defect in which the intestines develop outside the abdomen.
Doctors told Demi and her partner Adam Ellis, 27, that Arnie would need a three-hour operation as soon as he was born. He arrived eight weeks prematurely after Demi had a caesarean, and weighed just under 3lb.
After surgery, he spent two months in hospital – but three days after being discharged, he was back in and put on life support following a bowel infection. There was another scare when he contracted suspected sepsis but he quickly recovered. Now he is happy, healthy and the pride of the family.
Mr Ellis said: ‘I think all dads want a boy, but a healthy baby is just as important. Our Arnie is a true fighter.’