A baby who was born three months early has gone home after 75 days in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Baby Coralie was born on 24 May, at 28 weeks, via emergency C-section, weighing only 748 grams,.

Following a 20 week scan at West Middlesex University Hospital (a part of Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust), it was discovered that the baby was in the bottom 1% for size at that stage of gestation.

Annie was transferred to the Trust's other site, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which has a level 3 neonatal unit.

She was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and remained an inpatient on continuous monitoring for two weeks.

Arunja, Coralie's Father , who is a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at West Middlesex University Hospital, said: "Having worked at the Trust for eight years, and having trained in both hospital sites, it is outstanding to see the care provided, now on the other side as a patient. I witnessed a team made up of incredible doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, and many others who all went above and beyond to care for Coralie and provide our family with reassuring updates throughout this fairly traumatic experience for us. "

"I am extremely grateful to all who cared for my baby and wife, and so thrilled that we now have them both home, healthy and happy. It is a real testament to the staff at the Trust, who help patients to feel as at ease as possible, and this has inspired me to be an even better doctor for my own patients."

Baby Coralie with her parents. Photo Credit: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Trust

Coralie was born with a number of complex medical problems affecting her brain and heart.

This meant that she had to spend 75 days in the NICU, with many of those in an incubator.

She also had to undergo major abdominal surgery by the Paediatric Surgical team. 

 She was sent home at 39 weeks old and now weighs 2.2kg.

Vicki Cochrane, Divisional Director of Midwifery and Nursing at the Trust said: "The work of the fantastic maternity and neonatal teams at our Trust never goes unappreciated, as they really do go the extra mile to care for women, babies and the families in their care.

 "I am so pleased we have been able to discharge baby Coralie and see her go home with her family after spending 75 days in our care."