Miracle baby will spend first Christmas at home

A baby born at 23 weeks and weighing just under 1lb has defied the odds and will spend Christmas at home for the first time.

Ellie Haskell, now 16 months old, spent 487 days in hospital after arriving "so fragile" her survival chances were slim.

Her mother, Sarah Haskell, from Brighton, said she was looking forward to "presents, food and chaos with the family".

"Leaving the safety of the High Dependency Unit has been extremely hard," she explained. "I'm constantly on high alert mode as Ellie's situation can change so quickly."

Ms Haskell was working as an estate agent and had a smooth pregnancy until 17 weeks when her waters began leaking.

Four weeks later, a severe bleed led to an admission at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

Ms Haskell went into labour at 23 weeks where Ellie was born weighing just 444 grams (15.6 ounces).

"She was taken straight to the Trevor Mann Baby Unit," Ms Haskell recalled.

"For six months, that was our world. Ellie was the sickest baby in the room every single day.

"She had emergency bowel surgery, cardiac arrests, and there were countless times where we were told she wouldn't make it."

Eventually, a tracheostomy at the Evelina Children's Hospital in London gave Ellie the chance to breathe more easily and thrive.

"The moment she woke after surgery, she was clapping and smiling," she said.

"It was so nice to see her free of masks and nasal cannulas and her joyful personality has shone through ever since."

After her surgery, Ms Haskell and Ellie returned to the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton to focus on recovery and preparation for discharge.

Ms Haskell thanked the team at the hospital for helping them return home for Christmas.

She said: "It was so lovely we get to have our baby home – finally. As parents, it's all we hope.

"Nothing is more meaningful than having Ellie there with us."

She adds Ellie remains "fragile".

"She has big milestones ahead, such as building her lung strength, reducing ventilation, and one day, perhaps, removing her tracheostomy," Ms Haskell said.

Ms Haskell says she is hopeful as Ellie "continues to amaze everyone with her progress".

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