A premature baby born 13 weeks early has survived after quick-thinking medics saved her life with a sandwich bag.
Tiny Orla-May Rospo-Hughes was smaller than her mum’s hand and weighed just one pound when she was born last month at only 27 weeks.
Her parents, Emily Rospo and her partner Samantha Hughes, were warned she may not survive.
But now the tiny tot is thriving – after doctors saved her life by placing her in a sandwich bag to help regulate her body temperature after she was born.
The adorable youngster is still in an incubator, and is not yet as long as a PPE glove but experts say she is now doing very well.
Mum Emily, from Hitchin, Herts, said: “We were told multiple times to prepare for the worst and that she was unlikely to make it.
“We had been trying for a baby for three years and had already been on a journey with IVF so to be told this, was devastating.
“Nothing can prepare you for being told that your baby might not make it.
“I was terrified and nervous but luckily my partner was allowed in the room with me so I had some support.
“Despite being told her chances were slim, I kept a positive mindset and believing she was going to make it is what got me through”.
Parents Emily and Samantha were shocked when they were told Emily, 30, had to undergo an emergency C-section at just 27 weeks after being diagnosed with placenta insufficiency.
At 27 weeks, little Orla-May was born on 28 January weighing just 490g.
After the birth, Orla-May was instantly put into a plastic sandwich bag to keep her warm whilst she was whisked away to the resuscitation room.
Emily said: “When she was born, they worked hard to get her breathing. They put a tube down her throat and put her into a plastic sandwich bag to make sure her temperature was up.
“I didn’t even get to see her before she was taken away; there was a lot going on in the room and I felt all sorts of emotions.
“We knew they were trying their hardest to get her breathing and I felt lucky to have Samantha with me as I was terrified I might not be able to because of coronavirus.
“I was told that the sandwich bag was to keep her temperature up; I had never heard of it before.
“Seeing her in there like that was scary – she was tiny.
“We haven’t been able to hold her yet but we are allowed to touch her and be with her 24/7.
“She’s staying at Luton and Dunstable hospital and the staff have been absolutely amazing.
“We take each day as it comes; she has managed to put a little bit of weight on so we’re just trying to stay positive”.
Samantha added: “They asked me to cut the cord and I got to see our beautiful baby for the first time; I’ve never seen anything so tiny and fragile.
“I know we have a long road ahead but I pray everyday that Orla-May will grow to be big and strong”.