Miracle baby who weighed just 1lb 10oz set for first Christmas at home
Doctors feared Iarla Ace wouldn't survive long when he was born prematurely at 25 weeks but, after five operations, the odds-defying baby is set to enjoy his first Christmas dinner at home
An odds-defying baby boy who weighed 1lb 10oz at birth is set for his first taste of Christmas dinner after having a feeding tube removed.
Doctors feared Iarla Ace would not survive long when he was born prematurely at 25 weeks in the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast on October 22 last year.
Iarla has undergone five operations and spent 127 days in hospital before finally being discharged to the family home in Castlecaulfield near Dungannon, Co Tyrone, in February this year.
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His mother Lindsay, father Matthew and four-year-old sister Aine are now looking forward to spending their first Christmas in the house with the 14-month-old.
Iarla reached another significant milestone in his development just a few weeks ago when a feeding tube was removed from his nose and he was able to eat normally for the first time.
Ms Ace, 39, who is a nurse in Craigavon Area Hospital, said her son’s birth was very traumatic.
She added: “He was very tiny and at the start he had a lot of difficulties with his breathing and his blood pressure and other things. At the very, very start it was very precarious, we really didn’t think he was going to survive the first couple of days.”
Ms Ace said last Christmas was a “horrible” experience as she and her husband tried to balance visits to see Iarla in the neo-natal unit of Craigavon Area Hospital with making the holiday special for Aine at home.
Then Iarla became unwell with a bowel obstruction and was rushed back to the Royal on New Year’s Day for emergency surgery.
The family are determined to make this festive season special. Ms Ace added: “It’s going to be amazing just for us all to be together at home this year for Christmas, and just eat dinner and visit family and enjoy just the four of us being together without having to go near a hospital.”
Iarla’s father Matthew, 38, who is a team leader in a pharmaceutical company, said the day his son finally came home from hospital was “incredible”.
He added: “When the day eventually does come, it’s lots of different emotions, you’ve got nervousness and anxiety of bringing him home because he’s been so well looked after in the hospital environment with so much clinical attention, and you’re now responsible, there’s a pressure that comes with it.”
Iarla’s parents say they are so thankful to all those involved in his care in the hospitals and to family and friends.
They also hailed what they described as the “amazing support” of TinyLife, a charity for families with premature babies.
Iarla has a condition called hydrocephalus, which results in a build-up of fluid in his brain.
His parents highlighted the assistance they have also received from Shine, a charity that offers support to those with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
TinyLife’s chief executive Joanne Morgan paid tribute to the family for their fundraising to help other premature babies.
She added: “TinyLife is very privileged to support baby Iarla and his family through what has been a challenging year, albeit with a very happy ending.”
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