A mum whose baby was given a one percent chance of survival after her waters broke at 17 weeks has shocked doctors by giving birth to a healthy boy.
Cathy Walters, 29, and husband Phillip, 45, were told their baby was likely to die as a result of the early signs of labour and the mum’s health was also in danger.
Despite weeks of heavy bleeding and weekly visits to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, Cathy gave birth to 3lb 9oz Lyndon-Rhys, 30 weeks into the pregnancy.
The mum, who has suffered five miscarriages in the past, said she was determined to not give up on her baby and ignored doctors’ advice.
“I was nervous about the pregnancy and was happy it was running smooth up until 17 weeks,” she said.
“But on April 26, I woke up in the night with heavy bleeding and was taken to hospital for an emergency scan.
“I was told the baby was still alive but my waters had broken as well as losing a lot of blood.
“Doctors said I should terminate my pregnancy and they were adamant I would miscarry if I went through with it. I was told he had a one per cent chance of survival.
“Me and Philip spoke, we decided we needed to fight for my little boy, he was still holding on. We couldn’t give up hope.”
Cathy returned home and went on to bleed regularly and visit the hospital at least three times a week for check-ups.
At 24 weeks pregnant, she was still being told by doctors that without waters for the baby to develop, a miscarriage was highly probable.
“But Lydon-Rhys was growing strong, and doctors couldn’t explain how,” she said.
“When I was at 30 weeks, I was told he had a one percent chance of survival.
“Doctors said there was a chance he would have Cerebral palsy, deformed limbs, facial compression or brain bleeds because of the lack of waters.
“But they appreciated that I wanted to carry on.”
Cathy, who has five other children with Phillip, suffered heavy bleeding July 25, and was taken into hospital where she went into a slow labour.
One day later, she started getting strong contractions and was given antibiotics to prepare for the birth – which was due on September 29.
At 4.21pm, Lyndon-Rhys was born naturally.
“He was a good weight for 30 weeks, and even cried when he arrived,” the full-time mum to 10-year-old Michaela, Tristan, 8, Scott, 7 and 22-month-old Lewis.
“Doctors still don’t why my waters broke so early but Lyndon-Rhys was perfectly healthy – he just need some help breathing.”
“He was kept in hospital for checks and help for eight weeks and then came home.
“We need to help him by giving the lowest level of oxygen, 0.08 flow, but only for a few months.
“The doctors are amazed he’s done so well. We feel extremely lucky to be in the position we are in.”
“Now we want other people in a similar situation to know they should not give up and have faith.”
