A baby born at 23 weeks has survived and gone home with his family four days before his due date of 16 August.
Babies born at 23 weeks typically only have a 19 per cent chance of survival, according to a 2006 study.
Emergency
Mum Tracy Giorgiou was rushed to hospital and baby Lucas was born by emergency Caesarean section.
Little Lucas weighed just 2lbs when he was born at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in April.
Mrs Giorgiou had developed placental abruption. This rare condition, affecting less than 1 per cent of pregnancies, means that the placenta comes away from the womb wall.
This was the second time she had suffered from the condition, having lost her first child Sophia at 18 weeks as a result.
Mrs Giorgiou said she and her husband Costa “were happy but also frightened - but [the condition] is so rare I didn't think it could happen to me twice.”
She was taken to hospital on 29 April after collapsing at her cousin’s house.
“I was just coming down the stairs when I started bleeding severely again,” she said.
Survival
Mrs Giorgiou was in such a serious condition that she did not realise for three days that Lucas was alive.
She recalled: “I haemorrhaged so badly and had to have so many blood transfusions that at one time I didn't have a drop of my own blood in my body.
“They took him through to neonatal intensive care, but he wasn't expected to survive - every minute, every second counted.
“Because he was so premature, he had a heart valve problem which didn't respond to medication. So at six weeks old, he went to Alder Hey for a heart operation.
“We watched him going into theatre, knowing that he might not survive that.
“But he did and it was a turning point - from that day, he never looked back [and] the doctors say he is a real life miracle.”
Lucas now weighs 5lbs 3oz.
The clinical director of neonatal care at the hospital, Bill Yoxall, commented: “[Lucas had] a lot of challenges to face due to his extreme prematurity, but has battled through them all.
“His family have been very strong through some extremely difficult times and we are delighted that they are able to take their son home.”
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Since we put this article up there have been two other stories this week of babies that have been born at 23 weeks and survived!
Esme Poulsom was just 1lb 6oz at birth but has battled through and is now eight months old. Read more (Daily Mail) >
And little Daisy Cruickshanks spent three months in intensive care but is now at home and expected to make a full recovery. Mum Kim had six miscarriages in 14 years, so the safe arrival of Daisy is particularly happy news. Read more (Daily Mail) >
Sadly, the upper time limit for abortions remains 24 weeks even though babies can survive before this, as these amazing stories show.
Please keep praying for a change to abortion laws in our country and for the health of these babies born prematurely.