A BABY girl who was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 almost 17 weeks early, finally makes it home – four months after being 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 during lockdown.

Tiffany Bushell, 32, and husband Matthew, 30, from Watford, Hertfordshire, feared their daughter Millie wouldn’t survive as she spent the first five weeks of her life on a ventilator at St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey.

Tiffany Bushell, 32, and husband Matthew, 30, said they are ‘over the moon’ to have her homeCredit: Mercury Press

The tot weighed just 1lb 7 at 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 and had a massive hole in her heart – and stopped breathing at just two days old,

But the plucky new-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 defied all odds to survive and her parents are now celebrating after doctors finally allowed them to bring her home last week.

Tiffany, an embroiderer, said: “She’s a miracle. Now she’s here, it’s such a weight off our shoulders.

“Were so relieved that she is at home and it makes us realise how far she has come.”

The tot weighed just 1lb 7 at 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 and had a massive hole in her heartCredit: Mercury Press

Matthew was only able to see his new daughter for ten minutes before having to leave the hospital due to lockdown restrictionsCredit: Mercury Press

Millie stopped breathing after two daysCredit: Mercury Press

Matthew, a lorry driver, added: “We’re over the moon that she’s back. It’s like being on Cloud nine.

“We’re fulfilled – we’ve been waiting for this moment for so long.”

Due to lockdown restrictions, Matthew was only able to see his new daughter for ten minutes before having to leave the hospital.

For the first week, he could only see Millie via video call, while mum Tiffany was restricted to visiting her for two hours per day, and could only hold her new-𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 daughter while wearing gloves.

Tiffany said she’s a miracleCredit: Mercury Press

She also fought off seven infections, including suspected sepsis, and recovered from surgery to fix the hole in her heartCredit: Mercury Press

Matthew and Tiffany tragically lost their first daughter, Ruby, after she was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 at just 24 weeks and 3 days old in 2018Credit: Mercury Press

Millie is now safe at home with her parents who are ‘over the moon’Credit: Mercury Press

The tot also fought off seven infections, including suspected sepsis, and recovered from surgery to fix the hole in her heart before doctors deemed her fit enough to return home.

The experience was doubly stressful for Matthew and Tiffany tragically lost their first daughter, Ruby, after she was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 at just 24 weeks and 3 days old in 2018.

Matthew said: “We had Ruby for a week and then she passed away.

“It was the worst day of my life. It was really dark. We are in a much better place now.

After his first visit, the new dad could only see Millie via video callCredit: Mercury Press

The newly reunited family intend to spend the coming weeks getting some well-earned rest and introducing their new daughter to relativesCredit: Mercury Press

“I want to thank all the hospital staff for doing their best. We’re just so thankful to be finally back at home all together, safe.”

The newly reunited family intend to spend the coming weeks getting some well-earned rest and introducing their new daughter to relatives – who weren’t allowed to visit Millie while she was in hospital.

Tiffany said: “It’s nice that a few friends and family have finally been able to see her.

“I’m so happy she is back. It was emotionally draining having to leave her.

“I just want to spend lots of time in the house with her.”

Source: thesun