A couple from the UK are overjoyed to be spending Christmas at home with their baby after more than 100 days of hospital care.
Sophie Thompson and Matthew Hart, whose son was born 13 weeks premature, spent 109 days at the New Cross Hospital neonatal unit in London.
Baby Ethan weighed just 2lb 50oz when he was born on 26 August.
His mum, Stacey, said: “Having a baby on the neonatal unit has been the biggest challenge in our life, because when you’re expecting you only visualise giving birth to a full-term baby who you can go home with you straight away.”
Overjoyed that they can now spend Christmas at home together, Stacey said: “Knowing we get to bring Ethan home in time for Christmas gives us so much joy, especially because it will be his first Christmas…
“If he was still on the NNU, we wouldn’t be able to make it feel as special as it will be with him being home surrounded by his loved ones and not just his mummy and daddy.”
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “The challenge of not being able to go home straight away with your baby is difficult, but it is great to see a positive outcome for baby Ethan and his parents.
“With the proper support of neonatal care, babies can thrive, no matter how small.
“The journey might have been long for this couple, but this Christmas will be especially magical for them. We wish baby Ethan all the best and a very merry Christmas.”
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