Family joy as miracle baby gets to go home

A miracle baby who weighed just 1lb 5ozs when she was born on Jan 6 is now getting intensive attention from family and neighbours in Kilmallock.

Aimee Laura Hennessy was brought home this week by her parents John and Nicola after her weight climbed to 6lb 1oz due to the care of nurses and doctors at the neonatal unit at Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital.

The couple’s first baby, Aimee was three months premature when born and so small her father was able to fit his wedding band over her wrist and slide it up and down her arm.

Mum, Nicola said: “It was brilliant to bring her home. It was exciting and nerve-wracking all rolled into one. It had been a very hard time because we had a good few scary days, so to get her home healthy was huge.”

Nicola said that Aimee was “feisty out, full of personality and a fighter”.

Aimee is still on a special formula diet for babies with a low birth weight.

Nicola said: “At the moment she is perfect, they just monitor her milestones and see how she progresses over the next few years.”

Following the birth, Aimee got round-the-clock care at the neo-natal ward at the maternity hospital, where staff lined up, many in tears, to wish her farewell when John and Nicola came to collect her.

Nicola said: “The doctors and nurses have been so good. The nurses have become such good friends, they are practically Aimee’s family at this stage nearly 19 weeks in their care.”