Our miracle baby cheated death

Published 16 Aug 2010 14:00

A MIRACLE baby girl survived 10 weeks in the womb without amniotic fluid - despite doctors warning she would definitely die.

Heartbroken parents Bernadette Thompson and Tommy Wright, right, from Greenock, were offered a termination because medics believed their daughter had no chance of survival.

Doctors feared infection would set in and Sharon would die after Bernadette’s waters broke at just 18 weeks.

They also told the diabetic mum-to-be she might need a hysterectomy if she continued with her pregnancy.

But the couple refused to give up hope - and were delighted when Sharon above, defied the odds to be born at 28 weeks, weighing just 2lbs.

Joy quickly turned to anguish, though, when the vulnerable baby girl fell seriously ill with heart and intestinal problems and medics again warned she would never pull through.

But today, Sharon, who now weighs 3lbs, is continuing her brave battle.

Bernadette, 21, from Cedar Crescent, told the Tele: “I really thought we were going to lose Sharon.

“She is our little miracle. I am so proud of her for everything she’s been through. She refused to give up and has kept fighting.

“The doctors said they have never known a baby to survive after so much.”

When Bernadette’s waters broke, Sharon was left with virtually no amniotic fluid to protect her in the womb.

Her dad, Tommy, 22, said: “At the 20-week scan, we were told the only option was to bring on a miscarriage.

“They said the baby was so small and there was no way she would survive. But we never even considered that as an option.”

Eight weeks later, the couple were forced to make a life-or-death decision.

Tommy said: “Sharon was growing bigger in the womb and there was no amniotic fluid. We were told she could be deformed.

“Bernadette was warned there was a high chance she would bleed heavily during her Caesarean section, lose consciousness and need a hysterectomy there and then.

“That’s a risk she was willing to take. We decided it was better for Sharon to be born sooner, rather than later.”

Medics delivered the tot at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital on 2 July.

She originally seemed to be doing well, but weeks later she suffered problems with her heart and intestines and was transferred to Yorkhill in Glasgow.

Tommy said: “When we got there, a doctor told us there were problems and they said ‘she’s got no chance’.They told us again that Sharon was going to die.”

Delicate operations were carried out to close a valve in Sharon’s heart and clear a blockage in her intestines.

She needs more surgery on her bowel - but is battling on. Tommy said: “Sharon is still fighting. We are so proud of her.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde told the Tele: “Baby Sharon is in our neonatal care unit at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children and is receiving the best possible care.”

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 16 Aug 10

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