A grateful mother from the UK has praised medical staff who assisted her “Christmas miracle” baby.
During a scan at 16 weeks, pregnant Deborah discovered that “something was not quite right”.
Her son, Preston, was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition where the spine and spinal cord have not properly developed in the womb, which can lead to disability.
Preston was also found to have an excess of fluid in his brain.
At 25 weeks, Deborah travelled to Belgium to seek specialist care and foetal surgery, which was successful, and Preston was born via c-section last year on 14 December back in the UK.
Now, Preston and his happy parents are set to celebrate their first full Christmas together.
Deborah said: “We have been to see Santa and we've planned Preston's first birthday party.”
Deborah and her husband, David, have also praised medical staff for helping Preston.
“Me and David are so incredibly grateful for all the staff that helped us. We didn’t know what the surgery would be like, we didn’t know how Preston would be now.
“We do know it’s helped him a great deal, he’s meeting all his milestones and doing everything a typical child does. We’re incredibly grateful.”
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “The professionalism and expertise of doctors and nurses here has had a true life-changing impact – which is what real healthcare should do – engendering a culture of life, regardless of what a child’s condition is or how ostensibly hopeless their situation appears to be.
“There is always hope. And at Christmas time, especially, we should remember that and hold on to it dearly.
“SPUC wishes Preston and his family a very happy Christmas.”
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