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07
May 2022
Harrogate mum's 'miracle baby' born on holiday three months early
When Kim Ellis had back pain on the last day of her Lanzarote holiday, she thought she was just unwell.
She was only 26 weeks pregnant, so it didn't even enter her head that she might actually be going into labour.
Just over 24 hours later, on October 12, 2021, her "miracle baby" Ava was born, weighing a tiny 1lb 15oz.
She said:
Baby Ava in hospital.
Last weekend the brave little girl was christened in Harrogate, surrounded by her family and friends.
More support
Now, Kim is calling for more support for mums who have had premature births.
The hairdresser, who owns Blossom Hair, based at the Wellness Rooms, on Cold Bath Place, said:
When I met Kim for a coffee, I was in awe of this incredibly resilient mum who had clearly been through so much.
After cooing over a sleeping Ava for five minutes, we started chatting and I learned that her story actually began in the January lockdown of 2021.
Dating website
Kim explained that she had met her partner Connor Stewart on dating website. After chatting, they decided to meet up for a walk in the New Year, just a day before the third national lockdown.
She said:
Back Pain
When restrictions were eased in October last year, the couple decided to book a short break to Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands.
Kim said:
Kim realised she could barely walk up the steps to their room.
She said:
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What she thought was back ache, actually turned out to be contractions, which started to come on thick and fast during the night.
She said:
At around 8am, Kim noticed she had started bleeding. As the baby was still moving, she believed there was something wrong with her, so she decided to visit a medical centre near the hotel.
She said:
After being taken by ambulance to the main hospital on the island 40 minutes away, Kim was relieved to be met by a huge team of midwives and doctors.
4cm dilated
However, her relief was quickly replaced with shock when she was told she was 4cm dilated.
She said:
After being given medication to stop her contractions, Kim was taken to a bed to get some sleep.
But then her waters broke.
'So strong'
She said:
Kim cuddles tiny baby Ava at the hospital in Lanzarote.
Ava was then taken away and put on a ventilator ready for both mum and baby to be airlifted to a larger hospital on Gran Canaria, which had more facilities.
However, the doctors discovered Kim had been bleeding, so she was whisked off to theatre.
This meant that Ava was flown to hospital without her mum.
Kim said:
Ava is airlifted to Gran Canaria.
Just under two days later, quite remarkably, Kim boarded a standard passenger flight to Gran Canaria to be reunited with Ava.
Adrenaline
She said:
Kim stayed on the island by Ava's side for six weeks.
She said:
Kim and Eva arrived at Leeds Bradford Airport on November 27, where a bed was waiting for them at St James Hospital.
Harrogate Hospital
After a nine-day stay, when Ava turned 34 weeks, they were transferred to Harrogate District Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit.
Kim, who said she was extremely thankful to all the midwives, doctors and nurses, said:
Last weekend Ava Lottie Grace was christened at Woodlands Methodist Church, on Wetherby Road, in Harrogate.
Connor, Kim and Ava at the christening in Harrogate.
Kim said:
More awareness
Kim is now calling for more awareness for premature births and would eventually like to see more support and information provided to mums.
She said:
Kim and Ava.
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