Ashford couple describe ‘rollercoaster’ journey after son born three months premature

The father of a baby born three months premature says his family's journey has been nothing short of a "rollercoaster" since the tot's birth.

But Matthew Fellows says the arrival of his and wife Emma's second child, Kai, was anything but cursed when he entered the world on Friday 13th.

The tot weighed 690g, or just over 1.5lbs, when he was born at London's St Thomas’s hospital in December.

After spending his first five days at the neonatal intensive care unit at Evelina, Kai was transferred to the William Harvey Hospital to be closer to the couple's home in Finberry, Ashford.

Matthew said: “It has been a real rollercoaster over the past six weeks as Kai has faced some setbacks and we have had many sleepless nights.

“But at the moment he is doing well. They are reducing his oxygen and he is breathing perfectly by himself with just a small amount of support and we are able to wash him, feed him, and have lots of cuddles."

Kai's arrival came after mum Emma experienced several episodes of bleeding during her pregnancy and each time had been to hospital to be checked over.

But less than two weeks before Christmas, the couple, who both work in insurance in London, were on their way to a wedding in the capital when the 33-year-old realised she was bleeding again.

Mr Fellows added: “It settled really quickly and because it had happened so many times before we weren’t worried – Emma didn’t want to make a fuss.

“But when we sat down with friends for dinner at the hotel that evening, her waters broke at the table.

“We called an ambulance and she was rushed into theatre for a caesarean section after the placenta came away and Kai’s heart rate started dropping.

“Emma was able to have a quick hold and kissed his head before he was taken to intensive care.”

Baby Kai is expected to need specialist hospital care at the William Harvey until his original expected due date in late March.

It has meant the family, which also includes 18-month-old son Mason, have been spending much of their time at the hospital helping with his feeds and daily care.

“We just want to get him home so we can be a family and we still have some way to go but with their help we will get there," Matthew - who also praised the efforts of staff at the Harvey - explained.

“They have been fantastic and have made it possible for us to be with Kai.

“You never think you will be in this position, but now we are I have such respect for the work they do and the incredible care they provide."

The father-of-two has also has his sights on Central London's Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money for East Kent Hospitals Charity.

Those wishing to donate can do so here.

“The teams’ amazing work has given Kai a chance at life so this is a way for us to give something back," the 34-year-old said.

“I’m not really a runner, but I used to play football years ago until I was injured.

“My best friend ran the Brighton marathon and that inspired me so I started running, and then Emma saw that there were charity spaces for this event and it seemed perfect."