One Of Britain's Smallest Babies Survives After Being Put In Plastic Bag
Little Pace defied the odds after being born 101 days early.
Lucy Devine
One of Britain's smallest babies has defied the odds and returned home after being born at 25 weeks.
Pace Galbrath, who weighed the same as a bag of sugar, was born 101 days early and was so fragile he couldn't even be held.
Pace, who weighed 1lb 40z, was kept warm after doctors placed him in a special plastic drawstring bag just moments after he was born.
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The tot spent four months in intensive care at Bristol Children’s Hospital while his lungs were developing and he gained weight.
It's been a tough few months for Pace's parents Bella and Paul from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, who faced a 150-mile round-trip to visit their son each day.
But incredibly, the happy parents were able to introduce Pace to their three other children last Wednesday, 29 June.
“We're absolutely over the moon," says Bella.
“Even though he's left hospital, he still has oxygen here so we're still not out of it, but we're so glad that he's home. It's just incredible.
“There were times it was certain he wasn't going to make it and I think when you try to explain that to your family members and they don't quite understand how precarious a situation he was in.
"At times there were questions about his survival, but luckily he made and he's here now.
“We were at Bristol Hospital for seven weeks which was a tough time because of his condition. Bringing him home has been a big step for the family.”
Bella was rushed to hospital after her waters broke on 7 March, but was transferred 72 miles away to Bristol where doctors tried to delay labour but were forced to perform an emergency caesarean.
Following the birth, and during Pace's stay in hospital, the little one endured six blood transfusions and still needs oxygen.
"There are issues around eyes and sight, but his hearing is fine we know he can hear and there's possibly developmental issues later on but we'll have to see about that," Bella adds.
Speaking about his son, and the journey the family have been on, dad Paul said: "Just to have him back is fantastic news. We were looking forward to it for a long time and once the day finally came we were just excited and over the moon to have him here."
We're so pleased for Bella, Paul, Pace and all the family.