Mother: ‘It was just a matter of fattening baby John up’ after premature birth

He was “skin and bone” when he arrived but it was “just a matter of fattening him up”, says Gráinne Foley, whose second son John clocked in at 2lbs 4oz — 12 weeks shy of his due date.

Her first son Martin, delivered at 38 weeks, had prepared her for the possibility that John might not stay the course, but she never expected a delivery at 28 weeks and two days.

“With Martin, I went for my 38-week check-up and was sent to the foetal assessment unit by my consultant. After the sonographer had a look she said ‘things aren’t looking good’.