THE granddaughter of Inverclyde Provost Robert Moran has battled back to health - after her mum developed a life-threatening condition in the run-up to her baby's birth.

Tiny Olivia Moran was delivered almost two months early weighing just over 3lbs after mum Charlene Nelson was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.

Medics had to rush the baby to intensive care.

Olivia was delivered seven weeks early by emergency C-section after Charlene was diagnosed with the condition, which causes extremely high blood pressure and can be potentially deadly to women and their unborn child.

The baby, who Charlene now describes as 'her little miracle' was given emergency treatment in both intensive care and the special baby unit, before finally pulling through.

Charlene, 23, of Davidson Drive, told the Telegraph it was a scary experience for both her, Olivia's dad Ross Moran, 28, and the Provost.

She said: "After Olivia was born she spent over two weeks in hospital and was in an incubator because her temperature kept dropping.

"It was quite frightening to see her so small there in the incubator and she had a tube through her nose to feed her.

"She was probably about the size of your hand - to me, she is a miracle baby." Charlene had to leave hospital a week later without Olivia, as doctors continued to nurse her daughter through.

She said: "I cried every night, I didn't know what to do and I didn't sleep at all." Thankfully Olivia, who turns one next month, is now healthy and thriving but the traumatic experience of her birth has left Charlene feeling that she wants to do something to help other premature babies.

She has organised a fundraising 'Bliss Buggy Push Walk' in June to raise money for premature baby charity Bliss, which supported her through her ordeal.

As well as this, Charlene hopes to become a counsellor, to help other mums who may end up in the same position.

She said: "I saw a counsellor as I couldn't stop crying and she advised me to try sleeping with a baby blanket.

"It really did work and she also told me to imagine Olivia was at a sleepover and that really helped as well.

"This is why I'm raising money as the counsellors only come to the hospital once a month.

"It would be a real support for mums to have them visit every day and I want to help achieve this.

"I want to help others as I have been there now and I can understand how they feel." Doting grandad Robert, who used to drive Charlene and his son Ross up to the hospital to see Olivia, said watching his granddaughter fight for life was a traumatic experience.

He added: "It was a very difficult time, so anything we can do to help others in this position and highlight this condition we are happy to do." Anyone can join in the Bliss Buggy Push Walk, which is twice round Battery park on Saturday 29 June at 1pm.

To register, email Charlene at charlenemay2013@yahoo.co.uk or phone her on 07563 376154.