Published: Thursday, 1st July, 2010 9:23am

Tiny tot inspires big appeal

by Sam Berkeley

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A Tranent couple whose baby was born nearly 11 weeks early are taking part in the Edinburgh Fun Run in July to raise money for a charity which provides support for premature and sick babies.

Hayley and Martin Welsh were expecting their first child, Anna, on February 18 but when Hayley went into hospital with a hip problem on December 5 she soon found herself with an unexpected, and very small, bundle of joy.

Now, to help other babies like Anna, the couple and other members of their family will take part in the run on July 25 to raise money for Bliss, a charity which specialises in helping babies born early or sick and giving support to their parents.

Tiny Anna when she was first born, weighing just 2lbs.

Hayley said the couple had been very concerned when their daughter came into the world more than two months before she was due, weighing a miniscule 2lb 14oz (see picture above right).

"We were extremely worried, it's quite a serious situation we never thought we'd be in," she said. "I'd gone into hospital because I had a sore hip and then I had Anna two hours later!

"It was mixed emotions because you feel you should be happy because your baby's been born but she was so small and weak so we were really concerned."

Anna spent the next seven weeks in a neonatal unit receiving specialist care and Hayley says it was an incredibly difficult time.

"My husband and I were with her from 9am until 7pm," she said. "It was two weeks before I could hold her. It was horrendous because the first thing you want to do is hold your baby. It was quite a stressful time."

It wasn't until January 22 that Hayley and Martin were finally able to take their daughter home and even then there were difficult times ahead for the couple.

"She was just 4lb 3oz when we took her home," Hayley said. "She was so small she didn't know when her stomach was empty so we actually had to wake her up in the morning to feed her!"

Now Anna is a healthy and happy baby weighing 15lbs (see above left), and Hayley added: "It was hard going at the time but now she's just like any other baby and everybody's delighted."

To sponsor the Welshs, visit their online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Hayley-Welsh