2lb Staffordshire baby reaches 18th birthday against the odds

But the Kingswinford teenager pulled through and is now on the verge of celebrating her landmark 18th birthday.

Jasmine is currently studying a foundation course for children with special needs at Stourbridge College.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 next month, suffers from the developmental coordination disorder dyspraxia, which means she has difficulty remembering things, but does not have any other health problems.

Her mother Sue said: "She has done really well and works really hard and is highly motivated, while she also plays some sport."

She had an emergency caesarian after being rushed into hospital with pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy disorder characterised by high blood pressure and a large amount of protein in the urine.

The disease includes poor liver and kidney function, as well as shortness of breath due to fluid in the lungs.

Mrs Pole said: "It was a bit of a shock. Going straight to hospital and not knowing what the outcome was going to be when they scanned me to find out how big the baby was.

"I had an emergency caesarean because she was big enough to be born. She was born and came out crying and was rushed to the neo-natal unit. She was in there for six weeks."

Another risk to her daughter's health was that she suffered an infection, which she was susceptible to due to her low weight.

Jasmine was eventually allowed to leave the hospital once she weighed 4lbs.

She added: "It was a complete mystery. I did not know what the effect would be."

However, the youngster went on to attend Crestwood Park Primary School in Kingswinford before going on to the college.

Mrs Pole also received support from a group that helps the families of children who have had difficulties at birth.

She lives with her husband Jonathan, aged 53 and also has a son, Casey, aged 21.