THE family of a miracle baby celebrated him reaching 100 days old after he was born when his mum was only halfway through her pregnancy.
Tiny Austin Green was born 25 weeks into pregnancy after his mother, Lauren Ebank-Fisher, needed an emergency C-section.
The average term of pregnancy is 40 weeks meaning when Austin was born, his lungs were underdeveloped, holes were in his heart, he could not control his body temperature or eat, and he suffered from chronic lung disease.
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The milestone is particularly poignant for his mum.
Miss Ebank-Fisher said: "In my first pregnancy, I had a 25-week-old boy, and he passed away, and I have been aware of the outcome of Austin and take every day as it comes and hope for the best."
Around five to six babies born at 25 weeks reach 100 days in the Worcester Neonatal and Transitional Care Unit, at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, each year.
Miss Ebank-Fisher added: "It was very scary.
"They are in their last stages of development where they are starting to look like babies.
"Sort of alien-like with see-through skin and in a way like wrinkly old men."
To celebrate the milestone, the Worcester unit decided to hold a special birthday for Austin with cake decorations.
His mum and dad, Connor Green, described the feeling of baby Austin reaching 100 days as achieving a significant milestone and reflected Austin's fight to be alive.
Sharon Ali has been a Neonatal Sister for 25 years and planned baby Austin's 100-day celebrations.
Ms Ali emphasised how early 25 weeks is for a baby to be born by comparing the limit to women having an abortion being 24 weeks.
She said: "If I turn the clock back 25 years to when I started, babies born at 28 weeks would not survive.
"Medical advancement has worked wonders - if you have a problem, you can be treated.
"It feels amazing.
"The best part of my job is to do nice things like for Austin.
"But, particularly if a baby is not going to make it, it is about making memories with them while they are here."
Worcester Neonatal and Transitional Care Unit try to support families by holding celebrations like 100-day birthdays, undertaking mother's day and father's day activities with them, and making keepsakes for parents.
The unit also has an area where families can choose to live.
Miss Ebank-Fisher, from Redditch, added: "The doctors and nurses do amazing work and explain everything.
"It gives you that knowledge, and you feel included.
"They made it like a home from home.
"It is the little things they do which make it so special."
Following the celebrations, Austin was able to leave the hospital and went home with his family on Sunday.
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