Baby born at 22 weeks defying doctors’ expectations

A baby girl who was given a less than ten per cent chance of survival is now six months old.

Imogen was born in Swansea’s Singleton Hospital at just 22 weeks and weighed only 1lb 1oz (515g) – little more than half a bag of sugar.

In Britain, abortion is currently effectively available for any reason up to 24 weeks, the age at which babies are deemed to be ‘viable’ outside the womb.

‘Smashed it’

When Mum Rachel’s waters broke, she said: “I just went into survival mode for me and my baby”.

After birth, Imogen suffered complications including severe brain bleeding and sepsis but, although she still requires oxygen, has been able to return home after more than four months in hospital.

Mum Rachel said: “Imogen has gone through so much and more than we will ever go through in our lifetime and she smashed it.”

Record breaking

Earlier this month, Guinness World Records officially recognised the world’s most premature twins to survive.

Adiah and Adrial Nadarajah were born in Canada’s Mount Sinai Hospital 126 days early, weighing just 11.6 oz and 14.8 oz respectively. At a combined weight of 1.65 lb, they have been recognised as the lightest twins at birth.

When mum Shakina went into labour at 21 weeks, doctors told her “there’s no possibility that they’re going to survive”. But just days later she delivered her son and daughter, who have now celebrated their first birthday.

It wasn’t until 2019 that The British Association of Perinatal Medicine updated guidance to advise that it is possible for doctors to save the lives of children born at 22 weeks. Previously, it stated that they had no chance of survival.