Miracle boy celebrates fifth bithday

9:33am Saturday 5th July 2008

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BORN 10 weeks premature and weighing just one pound eight ounces, it was touch and go whether little Ethan Regulsky would pull through.

But tomorrow the bubbly boy from Cwmbran is set to celebrate his fifth birthday.

His mum Amy Regulsky, 22, is planning a fundraising event to say thank you to the Royal Gwent Hospital's special care baby unit that she says saved her son's life.

Ethan was born by emergency caesarean after Ms Regulsky developed pre-eclampsia, which is a pregnancy-induced condition, which can occur in the second half of pregnancy.

It is characterised by high blood pressure, swelling that happens suddenly along with rapid weight gain due to fluid retention, which in turn can reduce the flow of blood to the placenta and therefore can be life threatening for mother and baby.

But he survived the emergency birth, but was so tiny he was only the size of a pen.

"When he was born the nurses wanted to take pictures of him but I wasn't keen because I didn't think he would pull through. It was so frightening to see him there," said the mother-of-two of Marston Path.

"Even though he was so small, he started breathing for himself straight away which was amazing."

He spent the first 12 weeks of his life in hospital and had several hernia operations, but as time went on he became stronger and stronger.

Despite being born so prematurely, Ethan is a happy and healthy little boy now.

"Ethan was lucky that as small as he was born, he's not had any further problems. He is healthy and starts school in September. He was held back in nursery for a year, but he's caught up brilliantly.

"He does suffer from Athsma, but other than that he's a normal little boy. It's a real miracle."

Now Ms Regulsky wants to say thanks to the unit who cared for Ethan and is looking for help.

Her plan is to hold a fun day to raise money to help other premature babies.

"The hospital was fantastic with him, I couldn't fault then and now I want to say thanks."

• If you would like to help Ms Regulsky email her at amiee_regulsky@hotmail.co.uk or ring her on 01633 669580.