Baby Born 4 Months Early Beats Several Odds to Clock 3

Hope Prestleton was born four months early in February, 2012, weighing just 1lb 11oz. She was so tiny doctors said she may not survive or grow up disabled, and had to keep her warm by swaddling her in a bubble wrap. She has now defied the odds by growing into a quite healthy 3-year-old.

According to Mirror UK, her mum, Tracie, was admitted for monitoring three days prior to her birth after her waters leaked, and eventually welcomed her via an emergency caesarean section.

Recounting the experience, her thrilled mum, 32, said: “When I saw Hope for the first time she was so small. Doctors said because she came so early she was in a lot of danger and there was a risk she might not survive at all. If she did survive she could end up disabled…they took her away to check her. Doctors said she didn’t need to be ventilated as she was really strong and could breathe on her own. I thought: ‘that’s good,’ but they said it was very unusual. Everyone called her a miracle.

Hope’s heart slowed down and stopped several times but while doctors tried to interfere she recovered within seconds. She was only on a ventilator for nine days whereas other babies born around 25 weeks tend to be on them for months. She was well enough to leave the hospital three weeks earlier than planned too. Other premature babies born when Hope was stayed in for months longer than her. We were scared about bringing her home. We thought: ‘will something happen to her now?’ We worried things would go down-hill unexpectedly, but nurses said she was above average.”

Now, Hope is doing so well, enjoying lots of bonding time with her family, especially her 5-year-old brother, Alex, and has recently started nursery school.