Bedlington mum's baby joy after heartbreak

Posted by The Journal on Nov 2, 09 03:39 PM in News

Francesca Gaughan

MELISSA Swinney knows all too well about the dangers of premature birth.

In September last year Melissa, 26, and partner Bradley Gaughan, of Bedlington in Northumberland, were left heartbroken when their son Elijah was born four months early and died after just three hours.

But now the couple are celebrating the birth of their daughter Francesca, who they say is Elijah's gift to them.

Francesca too was premature by nine weeks. But she weighed 12oz more than Elijah and her survival is all the more precious after his loss.

Francesca, was born weighing just 3lb 10oz, on October 20, at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, before being transferred to the special care baby unit at Wansbeck Hospital, in Ashington.

Melissa, who is also mother to four-year-old Callum, has been by her side every day. "It has probably been the worst year that we have both experienced but we are very happy that we have had Francesca.

"It was very frightening for all of us the way through my pregnancy, but she is doing brilliantly.

"It will always be hard not having Elijah here with us but we just have to look to the future and try to get on with things.

"Callum suffered really badly. We involved him the whole way through Elijah's pregnancy but he didn't have a brother at the end of it and he was very confused.

"He just didn't understand what had happened and where Elijah had gone and he saw me when I was very poorly.

"But he has helped us so much and he has been a little star. We are very lucky to have him, and now Francesca as well. We say she is our little gift from Elijah."

Elijah, who was born weighing just 2lb 14oz, lost his battle for life despite doctors' desperate attempts to save him.

Melissa vowed to help other children in memory of her son and started a campaign to raise money to help others who find themselves in similar tragic circumstances.

She set up the Elijah's Gift fundraising organisation which aims to generate cash for special care baby units in the region.

The family hope that the money raised can go towards paying for staff and equipment, a special room for families or even clothes for premature babies.

Melissa said: "We just want to say thank you to all of the staff in the special care baby units at both hospitals. They have just been fantastic. After we had Elijah they were always there for us.

"And the same doctors who cared for Elijah are now caring for Francesca. We didn't know that we would be needing their help and using their facilities again.

"On both occasions the staff have been amazing.We started fundraising because of the level of care they gave us and we know that there was nothing more they could have done for Elijah.

"They tried everything to save him and we just wanted to give something back to them."

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