My first baby was born in 1999, at 27 weeks weighing 1lb 9oz. I am so grateful he survived with no medical issues. He is now an independent 18 year old, with some teenage attitude (but we believe that is what has kept him alive those early weeks!).

Son number two was born at 30 weeks and 3 days, preeclampsia got us again. He weighed a “huge” (!) 2lbs 5oz. I admit, I felt a little cockier this time. Been there, bought the t-shirt. Thankfully, he survived but had issues, which floored us as we had assumed he was heavier, in the womb longer etc... Joe is 16 today and is deaf and a slight ride-sided hemiplegia. He had learning difficulties which have lessened throughout the years and now he is your average (if geeky!) teenager who loves Dr Who!

Our next two babies were born at 34 weeks then 36 weeks and neither needed special care, which was a shock to us! Taking our babies home straight away! When our eldest were in SCBU, I was desperate for news of happy endings - there was only one baby on the display board that has been smaller than my firstborn, I needed to know more had survived and that there was hope. I can’t tell you the amount of times I cried as I truly had no hope that someone so small and sick could ever survive.

Vicki gclark@action.org.uk Yes Yes