_(1).png)
A baby who was born weighing less than a loaf of bread is now living happily at home to her family after five months in hospital.
Lauren Ormston, 27, gave birth to little baby Isla earlier this year after going into premature labour at St Peter’s Hospital, Surrey, on 4 March.
Advert
Doctors gave Isla – who was born at just 23 weeks – a 10 percent chance of survival because she was simply so small, weighing just 535g.
First-time mum Lauren and her HGV driver fiancé Oliver Dewey, 31, had been told at a 20-week scan that ‘everything was fine’, but realised something was wrong when they worried that severe stomach cramps could be early labour.
After being induced, health-care facilitator Lauren gave birth in two hours with only gas and air, before tiny Isla was rushed to the neonatal unit.
Advert
She was later diagnosed with level two bleed on the brain and a hole in the heart.
But the infant managed to pull through and, after spending five months in hospital, she was finally discharged.
Lauren, from Hartley Wintney, Hampshire, said: "I was given the all clear on my 20-week scan, so you can imagine my surprise when I was giving birth just three weeks later.
Advert
"I started getting terrible stomach pains and I just thought the baby was moving around, but when the pain intensified, I knew something was wrong.
"The birth was easy, and I only had gas and air.
"I could only cuddle Isla for six minutes before she was taken to a ventilator.
''She looked so small and fragile, like she would snap at the slightest bit of movement.
Advert
"I was so worried, but I knew my baby girl was a fighter. It's a miracle that she survived."
Lauren's pregnancy was initially smooth sailing, with all her scans showing signs of a healthy baby – who she expected to welcome on 1 July 2022.
But things took a 'terrifying’ turn when she started experiencing severe pains in her abdomen, later being told by doctors she was in labour.
Advert
Lauren continued: ''They suggested getting transferred to a bigger hospital which would increase the chance to 30%.
''It was terrifying.
"But I had to take the chance, and I'm so glad I did.''
After giving birth, Isla was rushed to the neonatal unit and put on a ventilator, as she was unable to breathe without assistance.
Lauren recalled: "Her skin was transparent, I could see every little vein within her body.
"I lived each day, never knowing if she would make it, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
"After six weeks, she came off the ventilator but needed an oxygen mask over her face.
"We had our first cuddle, and her little hand was barely the size of the tip of my husband's pinky finger!''
When she was two months old, Isla’s right retina detached and she required surgery, but sadly the operation was unsuccessful, meaning she lost vision in that eye.
"Out of everything that Isla battled to just be alive, losing an eye isn't the worse that could've happened,” Lauren said.
''Isla's right eye is still functional and can move, but the detachment of the retina means that Isla has lost all vision.''
Isla is now eight months old and living at home with her family after being discharged from hospital in July – having even spent the night in her room for the first time.
Her parents now want to take her away somewhere to make the most of her being off assisted oxygen.
Lauren said: "It was rollercoaster, and I'm so over the moon that Isla is home and happy.
"I'm still in disbelief that our scan at 20 weeks came back fine, and I was rushed to hospital just two weeks later.
"It's so important to pay attention to those pains and trust your gut.
''She was so tiny when she was born, it felt like she'd never make it, but to see her now is like a miracle.
''Isla is a bundle of joy, and we couldn't be happier with the little girl we have now.
"We plan on taking Isla on a trip now that she's off assisted oxygen.
"We are so proud of her for fighting and now we get to enjoy every minute at the comfort of our own home."
Jess Hardiman