Birthday we never thought he’d see
Reporter: Richard Hooton
Date published: 29 August 2008
A MIRACLE baby who weighed less than a bag of sugar celebrates his first birthday tomorrow after beating the odds.
Cameron Boothby-Toft, of Hollins, was just 1lb 8oz at birth — but his parents are delighted that he’s piled on the pounds to reach a healthy 21lb 2oz.
The bonny lad will have a busy weekend celebrating with relatives at two barbecues with his parents’ respective families.
Proud mum Claire Boothby (25) was told at the age of 14 that she had polycystic ovary syndrome and could never have children.
She was astonished when she fell pregnant, but then had to endure a difficult pregnancy suffering from polyhydramnios, a condition that occurs in about one in 250 pregnancies and means having too much fluid in the womb.
Doctors at Manchester’s St Mary’s Hospital had to drain four litres of fluid but her labour pains started on the way home on August 30, 2007, and she was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital to give birth 12 weeks premature.
She couldn’t believe how tiny Cameron was and he was immediately taken to the special care baby unit, while Claire was told every hour he survived would be a bonus.
The little fighter spent 10 weeks at the unit before he pulled through and was able to go home.
Claire said: “He’s fine now. He’s had a few medical problems but nothing too serious. He was born 12 weeks early so he’s a bit behind but he’s crawling. He’s massive now. I’m just amazed that he’s here, especially when he was born so early.”
Adapting to motherhood has not been easy, but the new family have received much help.
“It’s been difficult but I have managed,” said Claire. “My mum Diane has been fantastic.”
Dad Michael Toft (26), a demolition worker, is also smitten with his little lad. Claire added: “He is amazed with his little boy and loves him to bits.”
