What a difference a year has made for baby Rohan born weighing just 1lb 8oz

A little bundle of joy who was a lot littler than most has come along in leaps and bounds in time for his first birthday.

Baby Rohan Morris was not due until last April but was delivered by emergency caesarean at Singleton Hospital three months early.

When he arrived at the Swansea hospital, Rohan weighed just 1lb 8oz. But the youngster, who turned one a few weeks ago, has delighted everyone with his progress and today weighs a healthy 18lb 6oz.

Now his family have contacted staff at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, where Rohan spent the first seven weeks of his life.

He lives in Ammanford with parents Jade and Nathan, big brother Noah, aged seven, and sister Aneira, aged three.

Mum Jade explained she was originally under the care of Hywel Dda University Health Board. But when her waters broke on New Year’s Eve 2022, that care became shared with Swansea Bay.

“Glangwili only takes prematures from 32 weeks gestation, and I was 23 weeks when my waters broke,” Jade recalled.

“There was a lot of back and forth with appointments just to come up with a plan of action and what was going to happen.

“I was informed I was likely to have a premature baby but hopefully not and we were going to take it day by day.

“I was sent home and put on bed rest. I woke up one morning a few weeks later in pain and I was rushed to Singleton.

“The doctors decided it would be in mine and the baby’s best interests to deliver. I was quite frightened because I was very early, but the consultant talked to me and my husband throughout the procedure.

“He was explaining things and the nurse too. They said there would be a bit of a fuss when the baby was delivered. When he did arrive, Rohan cried, which was a shock – I wasn’t expecting that.”

Rohan, who was not due until April 25^th, arrived instead on January 22^nd weighing 860g. After being introduced to his mum and dad, he was taken to NICU because he required so much care and support.

His parents were offered the use of one of the five terraced houses which NICU has available for families who live a distance away.

While grateful for the offer, they had to decline because of Nathan’s work commitments and because it would have meant Jade having to spend too much time away from Noah and Aneira.

“It just wouldn’t have been convenient,” she said. “It’s great for those people who can make use of it, but it wasn’t suitable for us.

“Instead I visited every day, although I couldn’t stay. But the nurses were brilliant. No matter what time we got here, they told us what was going on and took photos and videos for us, which we found really comforting.”

Rohan stayed in Singleton for seven weeks and was then transferred to Glangwili, where he remained for a further five weeks before finally being able to go home in April.

“He has exceeded all expectations,” said Jade. “The doctors didn’t think he would come along as quickly as he has. He put on weight really well.

“He came off the ventilator really soon. They were surprised at how well he did. He came home on oxygen, which was a new experience for us, but he was off that last July.

“He’s doing brilliantly. He’s a very happy, very smiley baby.”

The couple have now sent a message to NICU staff thanking them for the care they gave to Rohan.

“They were undoubtedly amazing, and we will forever be thankful for them looking after him. Again, thank you.”

NICU matron Helen James said: “We are delighted as a team to know that Rohan is doing so well and thriving.

“The journey that parents experience whilst their babies are on the neonatal unit is often described as a rollercoaster of emotions and events.

“Supporting parents like Jade and Nathan is a large part of the neonatal team’s role.

“We are always grateful to receiving feedback from our families. It helps us to develop our service further to meet their needs.”