One of nation’s tiniest ever preemies growing into ‘cheerful little girl’

The mum of a baby girl weighing just 12 ounces at birth has thanked hospital staff for saving the life of her daughter.

After Jessy Williams gave birth to twins at just 23-and-a-half-weeks’ gestation, she and her babies were rushed to a specialist intensive care unit at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Sadly, her son Ezra only lived for a day, but Sky survived, and after four and a half months in hospital was allowed home.

‘Excellent care’

Jessy paid tribute to the nurses and doctors “for the care Sky received at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit of the Women’s Centre in Oxford”.

“It was very helpful to be able to trust the professionals who were providing Sky with the excellent care she needed.”

During her stay in hospital, Sky overcame multiple infections, as well as problems with her blood pressure, bowels and breathing.

‘Vulnerable’

The Oxford University Hospitals Trust, of which the John Radcliffe is a part, reported that “Sky was able to go home after she reached 1.6kg and she is slowly growing into a cheerful and happy little girl.”

UnUnder the Abortion Act 1967, women are allowed to abort their unborn babies for effectively any reason up to the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy.

Neonatal Consultant Dr Amit Gupta commented: “Babies born at 23 weeks are extremely vulnerable”. He explained that “Sky was not only born extremely preterm, but was also the tiniest baby we have looked after”.

Dr Gupta described it as a “privilege” to be a part of Sky’s remarkable journey.