WHEN baby Jessica Roscoe first saw the light of day four months premature and weighing in at less than 1lb, doctors didn't hold out much hope for her survival.

But the brave little battler has proved them wrong and proud parents Ian and Sandra were finally allowed to bring her home after more than three months in the Liverpool Women's Hospital and Whiston Hospital's Special Care Baby Unit.

Sandra, from Gladstone Street, West Park, first realised there was a problem five months into her pregnancy when a scan revealed that she had lost some of the water surrounding the baby.

Doctors decided to keep a close eye on her and induce the baby before the pregnancy went full-term.

She told the Star: "I was particularly worried because this had happened to me before. Four years ago I gave birth prematurely to a little boy, Liam, but because of complications, he caught septicaemia and died the day after he was born. So I was terrified of it happening again." Then, just a few days after the scan on October 21 last year, Sandra's waters broke and after being examined at Whiston Hospital, she was rushed to the Liverpool Women's Hospital where little Jessica was delivered by Caesarian section.

"No one expected me to go into labour so soon and Jessica was absolutely tiny when she was born. And I had an infection myself so I had to stay in hospital for the first three weeks. Ian was brilliant. He virtually lived at the hospital with us.

"When I was better it was awful having to leave Jessica behind but she couldn't be moved until December when she was transferred to the special care unit at Whiston."

Jessica, who now tips the scales at just under 5lbs, was finally allowed home this month, although she has a special alarm strapped to her chest to monitor her breathing 24 hours a day.

Delighted dad, Ian, who has two older children, 20 year old Carl and 13-year-old Alison, from a previous relationship, said: "Jessica is great now. She's as bright as a button and is gaining weight by the day, which is a big relief for us. She had to wear dolls clothes when she was first born because nothing else would fit her."

And he added: "Both Sandra and I would like to thank our friends, neighbours and relatives who have been wonderful throughout. We would specially like to to thank both hospitals because the consultants and staff have all been marvellous towards us. Without their care and dedication, Jessica might not be here today."

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