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CHINGFORD: Miracle baby defies doctors
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| Stephen Crane and Leeann Phelan with baby Jayden and Skye, preparing for the fund-raising bike ride |
A baby predicted to be stillborn or severely disabled has defied doctors.
When Leeann Phelan was 20 weeks pregnant with Jayden, specialists at Kings College Hospital in south east London diagnosed a brain abnormality known as Dandy-Walker Syndrome.
They recommended that she and her partner, Stephen Crane, abort the foetus because his chances of survival were "slim" and he could have no quality of life.
But the couple decided "to let nature takes its course" and, after three months in a special care baby unit at Whipps Cross University Hospital, Jayden is home with his doting parents and 16-month-old sister Skye.
Leeann, 23, of Kings Head Hill, Chingford, said: "They told me to get rid of him, but I said no from the start. I don't believe in abortion and said: It is my baby, I don't care what's wrong with him, he will be treated the same as my daughter'.
"They said I could always have more kids, but I said: So what if I can have more, I'm not going to get rid of this one'. Now he looks like a normal baby."
When Jayden was born in December, his parents were euphoric because they had been preparing for the devastating possibility he would be stillborn.
Stephen, 32, a forklift truck driver, said: "We were told to expect him to be stillborn. It was like being on a time bomb.
"When he came out fighting there was so much relief, but we were trying to keep our emotions together. I have never cried so much in my life."
However, because Leeann had been induced at just 27 weeks owing to pregnancy complications, Jayden was born the size of a "small ruler", weighing 2lbs 7oz, and needed specialist treatment for three months, with daily visits from his family.
Stephen said: "Not being able to hold him was the hardest part. There were wires everywhere. It is hard to see your baby all wired up, and with tubes everywhere."
Baby Jayden is eating well, becoming strong and alert and has started smiling. The couple are awaiting brain scan results to discover how the syndrome may affect his development, if at all.
They are now preparing for a 59-mile London to Southend bike ride to raise money for the special care baby unit at Whipps Cross.
Stephen said: "We cannot praise them enough for everything they did. The treatment was wonderful. If we can do something to make it a bit easier, it is our way of saying thank you' and to make people realise how hard they work."
8:15am Thursday 22nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mike, London on 10:32pm Thu 22 May 08
Great story, hope this little one goes from strength to strenghth and what amazing courage shown by the parents.
Brilliant!
Great story, hope this little one goes from strength to strenghth and what amazing courage shown by the parents.
Brilliant!
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