A very special first birthday for three Norfolk babies born three months early

Victoria Smith with Charlotte, aged one month. Picture: Victoria Smith (Image: Victoria Church)

Charlotte, pretty in pink party frock, picks up her spoon and fork, ready for action; Sonny drums his little hands on the table and chats in baby babble, Lacie gazes from huge blue eyes.

The three beautiful babies are the stars of the day. It is difficult to believe that just a year ago they were all desperately unwell.

Charlotte is the oldest of the three, born on October 13, a full three months early and weighing just 2lbs 8ozs. Mum, Victoria Smith, of Catfield, near Stalham, said 'Going into labour was a huge shock! My pregnancy had been 'textbook' so I wasn't expecting it at all. But when they told me I was in labour I felt this overwhelming sense of calm. It was like my body just knew what we had to do. I was having contractions and everything was going well but then unfortunately my placenta detached and I was rushed into theatre for an emergency c-section under general anaesthetic.'

Victoria first saw Charlotte the following day. 'My husband took me in a wheelchair as I wasn't able to walk very far. She looked so tiny in her incubator. All curled up with wires and tubes everywhere. I just felt so helpless and sorry for her. I remember being able to put my hands in to touch her but it wasn't until a week later I was first able to hold her. They recommend skin to skin - kangaroo care - so they put her down my top to keep her warm. She was on my skin and it was the most amazing feeling, having my tiny baby cuddled up with me. I will never forget that, nor that overwhelming feeling of love for her.

Charlotte was in hospital for 10 weeks and on oxygen until a week before she came home.

'Although it was all very frightening I never once thought she wouldn't be ok. She just had to grow and get strong,' said Victoria. 'But she also had a habit of holding her breath. It's not good when your baby starts to turn blue!'

Eventually Victoria, and her husband Julian, were able to take their first baby home, three weeks before she should have been born.

'Finally there was light at the end of that very dark tunnel,' said Victoria. 'It was dark in the car and I can remember I kept shining a light on her so I could check she was breathing and all ok in her car seat.'

But as Charlotte celebrated her first birthday Victoria said: 'I don't think if you were to see her you would even know she was prem. You can't believe just how tiny she was.

'She is a serious little soul but I think that is because she is taking everything in. She watches others and tries to work out how she can do what they are doing. She is also learning that she likes to get her own way and boy do we know about it when she doesn't!

'However it is lovely to see her little personality developing. She is the most amazing little fighter and is so determined.

'I always think if she can get through all the things she has had to face so early on in her life then I can get through anything.'

Sonny was also born, three months early, on October 14 last year, weighing just 2lb 5oz, a third child for Tracy Kemp and her husband Ryan.

And big sister Freya, who is now four and thriving, was also premature.

Sonny, aged nine days. Picture: Tracy Kemp (Image: Tracy Peacher)

'I was shocked that he was early,' said Tracy, of Hethersett, near Norwich. 'He has two siblings, Dylan who is six, and Freya who is four and was born at 27 weeks. I was told by the midwives the chances of it happening again were slim but they were in fact both born, three months early, nearly four years apart. Both times I went into labour with no explanation.

'I held Sonny when he was a couple of days old which was lovely but I hated knowing he had such a long journey ahead of him, and the thought of having two other children at home, made it even harder.

'Sonny is doing so well. A lot of the staff who cared for him were the same staff who cared for Freya so it was lovely to see some familiar faces! I had every faith in them, and that they would look after Sonny, as I knew what a fantastic job they do.'

Lacie was born 12 weeks early on October 17, weighing 2lb 7oz and a first baby for Carrie and Paul Fulcher of Mulbarton, near Norwich.

Lacie Fulcher. Picture: Carrie Fulcher (Image: Carrie Fulcher)

'We did not know she would be premature so going into labour was a total shock,' said Carrie. She had gone to hospital because of unexpected bleeding and was given a steroid injection to help Lacie's lungs develop, as a precaution just in case she was heading for an early delivery. 'All seemed well but a few hours later my placenta haemorrhaged,' said Carrie. 'They called my husband in and rushed me in for an emergency caesarean section to save us both.

'My husband was told that Lacie came out in 'good nick' kicking and screaming all the way! That gave us confidence but it was a very frightening time.

'I saw her for the first time myself later that day and I held her hand as she was in the incubator. It felt so unreal, but amazing that she was here, something so small yet strong, I felt so proud.'

Lacie stayed in the neo-natal intensive care unit for nine weeks and Carrie and Paul brought her home just in time for her first Christmas.

Friends from left, Charlotte Smith, Sonny Kemp, and Lacie Fulcher, who were all born prematurely, and are now celebrating their first birthday. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'Her main challenge was remembering to breathe and develop enough to do it for herself,' said Carrie.

'Highlights of the year have included watching her develop and grow into a strong baby, smiling for the first time, learning to crawl, and her gorgeous laugh. She is a stubborn, happy, active little lady who loves Mickey and Minnie Mouse, is very curious and loves to crawl and explore.

She is interested in everything and has to investigate and if try and stop her she will soon tell you off. She looks like a normal full term baby, and I feel proud that she has fought to get where she is.'

An amazing job

Charlotte, Lacie and Sonny spent their first few months in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Here their parents met and bonded while the tiny babies battled to survive.

Victoria, Tracey and Carrie all spoke of their gratitude to hospital staff. 'They do an amazing job, and saved my daughter. I will be forever grateful for all their help and support,' said Victoria.

The three mums also supported each other, becoming close friends as their babies gradually grew stronger.

'It helped to have others support who knew what you were going through as I didn't know any one else who had been in this situation,' said Carrie, and Victoria added: 'You all become a bit of a family as you are there every day together.'

The mums and their babies, who had met in such difficult surroundings, celebrated the three first birthdays with afternoon tea at the Assembly House, Norwich.