Madison defies the odds

When little Madison Rees was born, weighing just 1lb 4oz and 17 weeks premature, doctors gave her a 10 per cent chance of survival.

But today - having overcome the odds and been given a clean bill of health - she has arrived at her Wellington family home in time for Christmas with her parents Angela and Dave.

Sadly Madison's twin sister Gia, who weighed just 1lb 2oz, died 12 hours after she was born.

Madison had to be put on a ventilator at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for six weeks before she was moved to a CPAP, another machine to help with breathing, for nearly four months.

This week, Madison has been given a clean bill of health and she has finally been allowed to go home - to the delight of her mum and dad.

Mrs Rees, who gave birth just 23 weeks into her pregnancy, said today: "She was a twin but Gia died.

"They had to switch the machine off because she wasn't responding to anything.

"Madison was too small and had under-developed lungs."

Mrs Rees was allowed to stay at the hospital for five days while doctors were treating Madison.

She added: "Since then we have been going over to the hospital twice a day."

The couple said they were planning to concentrate on getting their energy back and enjoying Christmas, along with Mrs Rees's five-year-old daughter Elliemay Chidlow.

Mrs Rees said: "It is Dave's first child so he is over the moon. He's a bit panicky, but glad to have her back home.

"We are just going to be staying at home and chilling."

By Dave West