Portsmouth mum opens up about premature baby - and her delight that he has made his first Christmas

Laura Houghton with her son Mason. Picture: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

A MUM who gave birth when she was just 25 weeks pregnant has shed light on what life is like with a premature baby.

Lauren Houghton, 21, gave birth to her first child, Mason, on May 17 this year – but his premature birth has made the past six months an uphill struggle for both mum and baby.

After three days on the maternity unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, Lauren had an emergency C-section, with Mason being born at just 1lb 1oz.

Lauren, who lives in Fratton, says the first time she saw her little boy was a rush of emotion.

Mason in the NICU at QA Hospital. Picture: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

‘It almost doesn’t feel real, seeing your child that small,’ she said.

‘I did get quite worried but the nurses were right there to reassure me about everything.’

Mason then spent 109 days at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), which for Lauren and her partner Brad Anslow was a ‘scary time’.

During the three-month period, Lauren hardly ever left the hospital.