Miracle mum Melissa shares Flynn's story:

On 13/06/22 I went to ED with stomach pains, turns out it was gallstones. They did an ultrasound and checked baby and saw my cervix was 3cm dilated. I was only 22+2 weeks and was told baby was coming that day and they could not save him. It was the worst day of my life. All I'd ever wanted was a baby, and I had used a donor so I could have one on my own. They gave me blood pressure medication to hold off the contraction and when I got to 22+5 weeks, they were able to transfer me to our tertiary maternity hospital. They told me there was a 60% chance of survival and 80% chance of disability. I was ready to face the odds if it meant my baby had a chance to live. They gave me steroids to help grow the baby’s lungs and on 21/06/22 at just 23+3 weeks, the baby put his foot through my cervix so I had to deliver via c section. Flynn was born breathing and kicking, he was a real fighter. He got an infection and sepsis at 2 days old, and they didn't think he was going to make it, but he kept fighting. They called his feisty because at 2 weeks old he was self-extubated. It wasn't the last time he was intubated though. It was a long 16 weeks, with so many ups and downs. But Flynn was eventually discharged on 10/10/22, 5 days before his due date! Some milestones have taken him longer to achieve, and he's had a slight gross motor delay, but he is the happiest and most intelligent little boy with the best sense of humour. We have been so incredibly lucky, he not only survived, but he has thrived. Now... I work as a Social Worker in the same hospital Flynn was born in, and I get to support families going through the same things we went through, which I am so passionate about.