Baby born early at 23 weeks finally comes home to Portland

Tiny Bobby Judkins was born at Portsmouth Queen Anne Hospital early at almost 24 weeks - right on the edge of life - after his mum was transferred there from Dorset County Hospital.

He had to be rushed to a specialised unit in Portsmouth, then Southampton as doctors battled to save him.

The little fighter has now come to Portland much to the delight of parents Lilly Pearce, a teacher, and Jay Judkins, a postman.

Lilly, 25, said: "We never thought we would bring our boy home but after 314 days we did."

She explained how she faced a difficult childbirth when she went into labour early at 23 weeks and six days.

She gave birth to Bobby on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. He cried, despite his parents being told he wouldn't due to his underdeveloped lungs.

He weighed just 577 grams - just over half a bag of sugar - and was about as large as his father's hand. Lilly and Jay were told he was not expected to survive the night, but he persevered.

Accompanied by Jay, also 25, and her mum, Lilly was quickly transferred from DCH to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth which has a unit specialising in micro-premature babies.

Lilly said: "You are so scared that you are not sure what is going on. It doesn't feel real."

Bobby holding his mum's hand (Image: Lilly Pearce)

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Lilly added: "He did well for the first 24 - 32 hours, but then he developed sepsis, which resulted in grade three and four bleeds on his brain.

"They told us he would not make it. That there was nothing they could do to help him.

"But he decided he was not quite done yet, and came out the other side of it."

Despite pulling through, this was not the end of his fight - not by a long shot.

He had to be taken to Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton at 14 days old for emergency surgery due to a perforated bowel. This is where he would be for the remainder of his care.

He spent six months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and four months in paediatric high dependency.

Jay and Bobby (Image: Lilly Pearce)

"He struggled to get off ventilation and we were told to prepare for the worst and even put in an end-of-life room," said Lilly.

"We were told multiple times he would not come home."

As of writing, Bobby has been home for three days, much to his parents' relief. After spending almost the entirety of his first year of life in the hospital, his parents are relieved and looking forward to their next chapter with their baby boy.

Lilly added: "He has done all that. They told us he would never breathe without a ventilator, but now he can with only a little oxygen.

"Now we are just relieved. It is incredible, it doesn't quite feel real yet, it feels whole - it feels good.

"I am looking forward to seeing him growing up and making lots of memories."

Lilly would like to thank Ronald McDonald House Southampton which allowed her and Jay to stay near Bobby, as well as everyone who gave care and support.

Jay, Lilly and Bobby back home (Image: Lilly Pearce)