My baby survived after being born weighing less than a bag of sugar
A BRAVE mum said her premature baby weighed less than a bag of sugar and the birth was "the scariest thing in the world".
Jazz Smith, from Grimsby, told the traumatic story of her daughter, Ayla-Grace, who was born 14-weeks early in April weighing just 1lb 15oz.
Jazz shared her horror story as part of World Prematurity Day.
Ayla-Grace was born on April 29 despite being due on August 3.
The mum said quick-thinking doctors and nurses at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Lincolnshire town saved her daughters life, .
She was told she had to give birth prematurely after her liver started failing due to her placenta separating from the wall of her uterus.
This meant no blood was flowing to her daughter.
Ayla-Grace was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and she also required heart surgery within the first few months of her life.
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She still needs oxygen but Jazz said her daughter is now "absolutely thriving".
Jazz said she knew something was wrong when she went to hospital after experiencing swelling.
At week 24 she was told it was too early to be pre-eclampsia. But the swelling wouldn't stop.
She said: "For me that was the hardest time because I wasn't allowed to see my eldest son who was only three.
Jazz spent one week in hospital at week 25.
"I really struggled being away from him."
Jazz was then diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and told she was days away from full eclampsia.
Jazz said: "I begged the doctors to let me out and come in for daily checks but they kept me in for one more night and that's when my world got turned upside down.
"I had three doctors in my room at 2am listening to my daughter's heartbeat and they brought a sonographer to check her too.
"We found out that my liver was failing and I'd had a placenta abruption.
"My daughter was born with the cord wrapped around her neck four times and it took more than one doctor to get it off."
Ayla-Grace was rushed to Hull's neonatal unit where she would spend the first six weeks of her life. She was then transferred to Scunthorpe General Hospital for the next three weeks. Finally Ayla-Grace was transferred back to the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital.
Jazz was then given the horrific news that her baby needed major surgery.
In the first few months of her life she underwent open heart surgery and had chronic lung disease.
She still requires oxygen today.
Jazz said: "The experience was heart-breaking. It was the scariest thing to ever go through, especially when you have other children.
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"Premature babies are miracles and they really do just thrive off life.
"My baby girl is nearly seven months old now and I feel incredibly lucky to have her in my life."
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