Tiny baby Ivy comes home after arriving three months early

Ivy Belcher was born on November 15 at Walsall Manor Hospital weighing little more than a bag of sugar at just two pounds and nine ounces - the tot was not due to arrive until February 5.

Since, she has suffered numerous complications including anaemia and jaundice and has had to have blood transfusions.

But now, after gaining in strength and weighing a healthier four pounds midwives have given parents Paul and Natalie Belcher, 31 and 26, the all-clear to take her back to their home in Aldridge.

Mr Belcher told of the moment he took his wife to the hospital with contraction pains fearing that her placenta had come away.

He said: "We were so scared because Ivy wasn't due until the 5th of February but we were being advised that Natalie needed to have a caesarean as soon as possible because both of their lives were in danger.

"You do think the worst because Natalie could have haemorrhaged as the placenta was coming away.

"I could have lost my wife and my daughter which doesn't bear thinking about.

"We were both feeling panicked by what was going on and obviously very worried."

Although Ivy is now able to leave the hospital the couple are keeping her in until next week as a precaution because their five-year-old daughter Isobel has chickenpox.

Paul said: "We're disappointed because we'd built our hopes up but it's circumstances we can't control and Ivy needs to stay in the unit until her sister's better.

"We're still excited about her coming home because it's so hard leaving her behind after visiting. We can't wait for 2016."

Finally the doting dad paid tribute to staff at the Manor who have helped the young family get through a rough couple of months.

"The staff here are amazing.

"I can't single anyone out because they are all just so fantastic. They talk to you so you understand everything and they really support you.

"They know you've got lots of questions and really try and make everything as normal as possible for the whole family despite the seriousness of everything that's going on.

"At first I was worried about holding Ivy as she was so tiny but I love her so much and she needs me to be strong for her so now I do everything I can for her."