by Eric Baxter

A GREENOCK mum whose ‘miracle’ baby was only the size of an iPhone when she was born has defied a staggering list of complications to survive.

Aly Larkin’s daughter, Frances, weighed only 1lb 3ozs when she was born at just 24 weeks in February last year.

She was so tiny she fitted into the palm of a midwife’s hand.

Frances then lost three ounces but somehow battled back from a staggering list of medical complications caused by her early birth.

She had a liver problem, two hernias, bleeding on her brain, a hole in her heart, chronic lung disease, spent six weeks in intensive care, 10 weeks in a high dependency unit and had 14 blood transfusions as well as 11 courses of antibiotics for suspected sepsis.

Aly, 35, said: “She wasn’t able to get a proper cuddle until she was four weeks, and didn’t make a sound until she was six weeks old.

“She was on 13 different medicines but now doesn’t need any, weighs 20 lbs and is the strongest, healthiest, most sociable wee soul I’ve ever known.”

Aly, who was in labour for 27 hours before Frances was delivered naturally, said the early birth may have been caused by a suspected viral infection.

She said: “I thought when my waters broke that I was having a miscarriage.

“It was a really nerve-racking experience.

“Frances was right on the cusp at 24 weeks, as babies are only resuscitated from 23 weeks.”

Aly and her partner, Frank, 36, were warned that the survival rate for such small babies was only 10 to 15 per cent, but little Frances somehow overcame the odds.

Her parents told her story on Facebook, and messages of support poured in.

Aly said: “Prayers were being said for Frances around the world.

“Lots of people from Inverclyde were getting in touch, including a girl from Inverkip who had a premature baby.

“She answered my questions and was a great help to us.

“That meant so much that I wanted to reassure and encourage other mums by telling them about Frances through the Telegraph.

“A lot of people maybe don’t know that a baby could be born so small and survive.

“Frances is definitely a miracle baby.”

Aly is originally from Braeside and Frank was born in Darvel.

They have two other children, Eilidh, 17, and six-year-old Archie and now live in Brighton, where they run fitness companies, while their relatives still live in Inverclyde.

Frances is slightly small for her age but is growing by the day.

Aly said: “She waves and gives kisses to everyone she sees, and shouts at us all constantly if we don’t tend to her every whim immediately.

“Miracles happen every day.”

This article originally appeared in our sister title the Greenock Telegraph