Baby born weighing just 490g thrives after 11 week NICU battle
Born a fragile 490g, little Louie has gone from being smaller than his mum’s hand to a cheeky, determined tot in just 18 months.
Hannah, from Hereford, was first admitted to her local hospital at 20 weeks after experiencing heavy bleeding caused by a low‑lying placenta. What began as a frightening complication soon escalated into something far more dangerous.
She was urgently transferred to Birmingham Women’s Hospital, where medics worked to stabilise her. By the time she reached 25 weeks, the instability had worsened dramatically, culminating in a sudden placental abruption. In an instant, both Hannah and her baby were in life‑threatening danger.
His arrival was as dramatic as it was precarious. Born at 25 weeks, weighing barely more than a bag of sugar, Louie was rushed straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), his eyes still fused shut and his tiny body fighting.
What followed was an 11-week battle. Louie didn’t just struggle with his lungs, he battled sepsis, endured brain bleeds, fought through a PDA that strained his tiny heart, and survived NEC, one of the most feared conditions in premature babies. His body was intubated and extubated multiple times.
Hannah recalled: “Our journey with Louie has been such a rollercoaster. He went from being one of the smallest babies that year to a thriving 10kg “toddler”. We’re so thankful to the NICU staff for getting him through the darkest days.”
While Hannah recovered from the traumatic birth, Louie continued his fight in the NICU.
“I held him for the first time when he was two weeks old, he was smaller than my hand,” she said. “It took the nurses ages to get all the tubes ready and place him on my chest. He went through so many ups and downs.”
Hannah and dad Lewis stayed in The Willows, the on‑site parent accommodation. “It was really hard, we barely saw each other,” Hannah said. “We took turns staying with Louie while the other was home with Ellie. We became so close to the NICU nurses; they were the only people we saw.”
During their stay, Hannah launched a fundraiser to provide a laundry facility for The Willows. “It was a proud moment. Doing something that would help other parents felt good at a time when we were so helpless.”
At 11 weeks old, big sister Ellie finally got to hold Louie before he was transferred to their local hospital for another four weeks of care.
Louie continued to need oxygen at home for three months. “Over winter he became unwell quite a few times, requiring hospital admissions” Hannah said. “Because he was so premature, even a cold hit him hard. But once spring came, Louie turned a corner.”
Now 18 months old, Louie is bigger, stronger, and full of personality. “He is the most loving little boy, he just adores giving kisses,” Hannah said. “Ellie loves him so much. Our little family feels complete.”