Jump directly to the content
'NO STOPPING THIS GIRL'

Miracle baby from Isle of Lewis who was so tiny she fit into mum’s hand celebrates first birthday

Hafsa was born at just 24 weeks and spent 19 weeks in hospital after her birth

A PREMATURE baby who was so small she fit into her mother's hand has celebrated her first birthday.

Tiny Hafsa was born at just 24 weeks and weighed just over one pound.

 Hafsa celebrated her first birthday with the 'wonderful NHS staff'
5
Hafsa celebrated her first birthday with the 'wonderful NHS staff'

Proud parents Zerqua and Mansha Mohammed Shahid from Stornoway on Lewis paid tribute to the "wonderful NHS staff" by visiting the Western Isles Hospital and the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow with one-year-old Hafsa.

Mum Zerqua said:"This is a very special birthday for us and we plan on celebrating it with family and friends.

"Hasfa's development is coming on well and her weight is now up to 13lb, which I put down to her reaping the benefits of being breastfed from birth.

"She doesn't really have any complications, although she does have weak bones, is taking bowel medication and has no peripheral vision due to eye surgery."

The adorable baby spent 19 weeks in hospital after being born in the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

 Hafsa was born at just 24 weeks
5
Hafsa was born at just 24 weeks

Zerqua first became aware that Hafsa's arrival could be imminent when her membranes broke on June 9.

She attended the Maternity Department at Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway, and was flown away by air ambulance that day to Glasgow, accompanied by Head of Midwifery, Catherine Macdonald.

 Hafsa's parents were 'so grateful' for the support from NHS
5
Hafsa's parents were 'so grateful' for the support from NHS

Both Zerqua and Hafsa were ill after the birth but tiny Hafsa proved to be exceptionally strong, battling against all odds to reach her first birthday.

It took 134 days of specialist care in Glasgow before Hafsa - which aptly means 'humble baby lioness' - was strong enough to come back home to Stornoway.

Zerqua added: "Throughout Hasfa's progress we have been so grateful for the help we have received from NHS staff, both here in Stornoway and in Glasgow, and we can't thank them enough.

"To show our support we decided to fundraise, with all monies went direct to the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital's Neonatal Unit."

 Staff said it was wonderful to see the adorable baby celebrate her birthday
5
Staff said it was wonderful to see the adorable baby celebrate her birthday
 Hafsa celebrated her first birthday with the 'wonderful NHS staff'
5
Hafsa celebrated her first birthday with the 'wonderful NHS staff'

Head of Midwifery, Catherine Macdonald, added: "Hafsa is such a happy and pretty little girl, it's wonderful to see her enjoying her first birthday this week and what a year she has had.

"When we recall how fragile and small she was when she was born, that's now all behind her and there's no stopping this little girl as we watch her develop and grow in her second year."


We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun Online? Email us at scottishsundigital@news.co.uk or call 0141 420 5266