A baby born prematurely at 23 weeks, weighing only 1.3lbs, has defied the odds by surviving 230 days in the hospital and undergoing five surgeries. Freddie, now eight-and-a-half months old, was born alongside his brother Charlie, four months before their expected delivery date.
Their mother, Lucy Havard, faced complications due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a condition impacting identical twins sharing a placenta, leading to an imbalanced blood supply. Despite attempts to rectify the issue with laser treatment, Lucy went into labor shortly after.
Freddie, born at 610 grams (1.3lbs), and Charlie, born at 600 grams, faced a challenging journey. Tragically, Charlie passed away a week after birth at Medway Maritime Hospital. Following his brother’s death, Freddie was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
During his time in the hospital, Freddie battled necrotising enterocolitis, requiring surgery to remove 20cm of his bowel at just 27 weeks. He experienced complications such as jaundice, sepsis, and suspected meningitis. Despite the obstacles, Freddie’s resilience and fighting spirit shone through, as his mother recalled the challenging yet hopeful journey.
After numerous setbacks, Freddie was finally discharged on September 3rd, without the need for feeding tubes. Lucy expressed gratitude for the support received and highlighted Freddie’s courage in the face of adversity. The family also honored Charlie’s memory, believing he played a significant role in Freddie’s strength and survival.
Currently, Freddie is under close monitoring for cerebral palsy, but his progress is remarkable, with him showing signs of normal development. Lucy praised the medical team at Royal London Hospital and the Sick Children’s Trust for their unwavering support during their ordeal. In a message of hope to other families facing similar struggles, Lucy emphasized the importance of staying positive and believing in miracles, as demonstrated by Freddie’s miraculous journey.