Little Lucas defies the odds

Janelle Baine and Lucas, now 20 months. Photo / Tracey Robinson

When Lucas was born, he weighed only as much as two blocks of butter.

Janelle Baine had her baby boy delivered three months early, to save their lives.

The Rotorua graphic designer was suffering pre-eclampsia - a common affliction among Kiwi mums.

She will never forget her "frightening" journey into motherhood, at the age of 22.

When Janelle was 18 weeks pregnant, she began swelling around her face, hands and feet. At 28 weeks, her vision became blurred and she saw spots, her blood pressure "skyrocketed" and protein showed up in her urine.

Her midwife rushed her to Rotorua Hospital where she was injected with steroids to help the baby's partially-developed lungs, in case he was born early.

A scan revealed too that her placenta was faulty.

"I just kept thinking that I could lose him," says Janelle.

She was transferred to Auckland City Hospital where a doctor told her she needed an emergency caesarean section the next day.

Later that night, 15 doctors surrounded her. "We can't wait until tomorrow," she was told. "We have to do it now."

When Lucas was born, he weighed just 1000 grams.

It was five days until his parents could hold him - a day Janelle describes as "just joy".

Now aged 20 months, Lucas can run, climb, talk and loves to charm people with his smile.

For more information, go to www.nzapec.com www.earlybuds.org.nz