When little Evie Barton-Morris was born weighing just 4lb 13oz, her terrified parents Colleen and Jason had no idea if their tiny baby would survive.

While the couple’s first child, Seren had arrived four weeks early, everything was fine and she was allowed home after two days.

But two years later, when they were expecting their second child, Colleen discovered at 21 weeks that the baby had died and she had to go through the devastation of a still birth.

In 2016, the 44-year-old from Buckley found out she was pregnant again, but was “a nervous wreck” after what had happened previously.

Colleen Barton with her daughter Evie Barton Morris, who was born prematurely
Colleen Barton with her daughter Evie Barton Morris, who was born prematurely

Amid regular monitoring, Colleen’s waters broke at 31 weeks.

Midwives at the Countess of Chester Hospital later decided an emergency Cesarian was needed because they were worried about the baby.

“At midnight on March 29, 2017, I had a beautiful baby girl weighing 4lb 13oz,” said Colleen, who decided to share her story to mark World Prematurity Day today.

“I was shown my baby whilst still on the operating table but wasn’t able to hold her, and then she was taken straight off to the Neonatal Unit where she remained for 15 days.

“I was so relieved that she was here, but extremely anxious as I didn’t know how she was, if she needed any specialist treatment, or really what to expect.

“I never saw her again until later that day, approximately 15 hours later.”

Premature baby Evie Barton Morris, of Buckley, in the Countess of Chester Hospital
Premature baby Evie Barton Morris, of Buckley, in the Countess of Chester Hospital

Colleen said it was “heartbreaking” seeing all the other mums with their new babies while she couldn’t be.

“It was surreal and what I had just been through was a blur,” she recalled.

“Later that day when my partner came in, he wheeled me down to see our baby.

“I really wasn’t prepared for seeing her for the first time lying in an incubator with wires everywhere, tubes and all the machines bleeping and alarms going off.

“I remember being very frightened and upset and very helpless seeing our tiny baby, who was very vulnerable, and the unknown as to how she was and if she was going to be okay.”

She added: “Seeing your baby go through endless tests, blood being squeezed from them every couple of hours, bruises from the amount of needles is all very upsetting – not something any mother wants their newborn to go through.

“It was a couple of days before I was able to hold her for the very first time.

“This again was such an emotional time, I was petrified and afraid of hurting her.”

Colleen spoke of her struggle at being discharged before her baby and said it was devastating going home without her.

“I didn’t want to leave her, I wanted to be with her 24/7, but I had a four-year-old at home who also needed me.

“I knew deep down that she was being well looked after by the NICU team and was in the best place,

Premature baby Evie Barton-Morris, of Buckley, in the Countess of Chester Hospital
Premature baby Evie Barton-Morris, of Buckley, in the Countess of Chester Hospital

“I would try and spend most of the day at the hospital with Evie and would be home in time to give Seren her tea and put her to bed.

“It was physically and emotionally draining but you just get on with it.”

When the couple were finally able to take Evie home, Colleen admitted she was still very anxious.

“All the what-if’s go through your mind.

“That first night, I never slept all night just watching her and listening to her.”

Colleen said: “The staff on the NICU had become our family throughout, it was such an emotional time.

“It is a place that will always stay with me, an experience that you cannot explain to people who haven’t been touched by the world of neonatal care.

“I guess like most people, before Evie was born, I wasn’t really aware of how many babies are born premature.

“My eyes were definitely opened.

“I had never experienced the NICU previously and the great work and dedication of the staff and the love and care they provide for all the babies along with the support, advice and caring for the parents, is truly incredible.

“Prematurity is like another world you don’t hear about.

Evie Barton Morris
Evie Barton Morris

“It drags you through every emotion possible, fear, guilt, heartache, joy, happiness, tiredness, stress, love, exhaustion, hope, and is a life changer no matter what the final outcome.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the journey and the emotions which will never be forgotten and every time I look at Evie and see her smile just melts my heart.

“Evie is now seven-months-old, she is doing fantastically and has an amazing little personality.

“However, you do worry every day – winter is coming and you just hope and pray that she will be okay.”

Colleen Barton with her daughter Evie Barton Morris, who was born prematurely
Colleen Barton with her daughter Evie Barton Morris, who was born prematurely

Colleen was supported by the premature and sick baby charity, Bliss who are today helping to raise awareness of the impact of early birth, which affects 15 million babies a year globally.

Chief executive, Caroline Lee-Davey said: “In the UK one in 13 babies is born prematurely and, along with their families, can face an unpredictable future.

“This year, Bliss wants to make people aware of what prematurity really means for babies and their families. We are calling on parents of babies born premature to share their stories on social media using #PrematurityIs to give people an insight into how much of an emotional roller coaster the experience can be.

“We need more people to understand the impact that premature birth has so that those who experience it feel like they are not alone. Having a premature baby can feel isolating and Bliss is here to support families affected by prematurity.”

To find out more or access support, visit bliss.org.uk

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