Precious babies
LITTLE BATTLERS GIVE HOPE TO FAMILIES
Duffy holding his minute hand that was the size of her finger tip.
Now he’s 20 months and he walks, talks, climbs, runs and kicks and throws balls.
Lynne, 39, and partner Paul, 46, from Glasgow, already had eight children and were over the moon to discover they were having baby No9 and a second boy after seven girls.
They have daughters Harlow, nearly three, Beau, five, Lexi, eight, Kodie, 13, Abbie, 15, Kayla, 18, Kelsey, 21, and son, Declan, 22.
But when Lynne was only 25 weeks and four days pregnant, she suddenly went into labour and was rushed to hospital on March 10 last year. She hadn’t been due to give birth until June 19. Fearing he might not make it, she quickly named him Keilan so he didn’t leave without a name.
Lynne said: “I thought he was going to pass away on the way up to intensive care. I thought, ‘He’s not going without a name’.” A few hours later, Lynne got to visit her son. She said: “He was just so tiny, my hand could cover his whole body.”
Keilan made progress but there were moments when his condition dipped and Lynne feared the worst. Thankfully, each time he pulled back, even after suffering lung disease, a CMV infection and having laser eye surgery to prevent blindness.
A week before leaving hospital, Keilan was able to breathe unaided and finally made it home 15 weeks later.
Lynne said: “I cannot believe how lucky I am but he has come such a long way. He’s a little miracle. I want to give hope to others.”
Family and friends have raised £9500 for the Princess Royal Maternity baby fund through events including a Santa dash and charity night to say thanks for saving his life.
Lynne said: “We wanted to give something back to the hospital to put towards helping other babies. I can never thank them enough for what they’ve done.”
Another little one to return to the hospital was Sophia Fenwick, who weighed 1lb 8oz when she was born at 27 weeks and six days.
Now she’s 20 months and parents Andrew and Claire, from Cumbernauld, feel so lucky she’s done so well.
Community worker Andrew, 32, and NHS manager Claire, 30, discovered their baby was a bit small on a 20-week scan. Claire was regularly monitored and then gave birth to Sophia on March 24 last year.
Andrew said: “The first time I got to cuddle her she was two weeks old and I could ball her up into one hand up against my chest.”
Now she is doing really well. Andrew said: “She’s the happiest little girl you could ever imagine. She’s just starting to get language, is picking up new words and toddling around.” www.bliss.org.uk/