My daughter was only 5lb 2oz (2.2kg) at full term due to intrauterine growth restriction from 20 weeks, so when I was expecting my second child I was monitored closely. This baby's growth also slowed from 20 weeks and after the consultant became concerned about the blood flow, the decision was made to induce me at 35 weeks. A paediatric team was on standby and cot was reserved in the NICU, but despite being only 3lb 13oz (1.7kg) my baby boy came out kicking and screaming!

We went to the postnatal ward initially but after 20 hours he ended up on HDU with jaundice. The memory of walking into a room full of strange beeping and whirring noises and seeing my previously stable baby now covered with a mask and tubes will never leave me. Thankfully, his jaundice resolved swiftly and he moved to SCBU for a few days then back to the ward before coming home at 9 days old and his birth weight! He's now almost 3 and still small for his age but is feisty, cheeky, loving and has bags of energy - he's my little superstar!

Having a premature baby is a rollercoaster, even when your baby is comparatively well and only a few weeks early. You never appreciate how fragile life is and what amazing things the human body and medical science can do before you visit a neonatal unit and I will always be thankful for the skill and care of the staff there.

Linda Levison elvyjay83@yahoo.co.uk No Yes