Baby born at 23 weeks 'looked like a little mouse'

A mother whose son was born more than four months early has thanked a hospital team for giving him "a chance in life".

Roisin Morrison said her son Kilian was delivered by caesarean section at 23 weeks and one day, weighing just 1.3lbs (0.6kg).

Kilian, who now weighs more than 4lbs, has spent the last 10 weeks at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent.

The 37-year-old said: "He is such a fighter. He came out crying, although he looked like a little mouse."

Ms Morrison, who lives in Canvey Island, in Essex, said her waters broke at 22 weeks.

She was transferred to the William Harvey Hospital because its teams were equipped to care for Kilian.

"I wouldn't have my son if it was not for the NICU team, they are absolutely brilliant and they treat him like he is their own," she added.

She is living on site in a flat for parents, which was recently refurbished by East Kent Hospitals Charity.

Ms Morrison said: "I have three other children at home so it has been really difficult, and the flat is a godsend.

"I'm so grateful to the charity for everything they have done."

Ms Morrison says plans are being made to transfer his care to a hospital closer to the family home.

"His due date wasn't until mid-January, so we weren't expecting him until after Christmas, and now I'm hoping we can be home with him in the New Year."

Ms Morrison has shared her story on video to support East Kent Hospitals Charity's Tiny Toes fundraising campaign.

The video was produced to accompany a song produced by the Marsh family who live near Faversham.

They recorded a version of Keeping the Dream Alive to support the Tiny Toes campaign, NICU and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (QEQM) hospital in Margate.

Dee Neligan, head of East Kent Hospitals Charity, said: "Christmas can be a magical time of year but it can feel very lonely when you are in hospital.

"It means the world for our NICU families to know others are thinking of them."

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