'If I had known, I could have saved my son's life'

Rosemary Kay, 36, from Manchester, has given birth to two premature babies and has written a book about her experiences, called Between Two Eternities. Her first baby, Saul, who was born at 23 weeks four years ago, only lived for 17 weeks.

Rosemary Kay, 36, from Manchester, has given birth to two premature babies and has written a book about her experiences, called Between Two Eternities. Her first baby, Saul, who was born at 23 weeks four years ago, only lived for 17 weeks.

When she was pregnant with her second child, Ms Kay again went into labour at 23 weeks but because of the care she received, was prevented from giving birth for another threeweeks. These three weeks are what she believes saved her daughter's life.

"There was evidence of an infection prompting the early delivery of Saul," Ms Kay said. "If I had been able to know that I had an infection, then it could have saved his life.

"With the second pregnancy, the hospital staff and midwives were prepared for a premature birth and as soon I started showing signs, they stitched up my cervix and put me on antibiotics and maternal steroids to prevent me giving birth.

"Although I only lasted another three weeks, that is a long time for a premature baby and saved Ruby's life."

Ruby was in intensive care for more than four months before she was allowed home. She had to breathe air with higher levels of oxygen for the first year of her life and has chronic lung disease. "The doctors have said that she will never be an athlete or an opera singer, but she is now 18 months and a very happy little girl and that is all I care about," Ms Kay said.

"She may have some mental problems but we won't really find out about those until she starts school. At the moment she is developing normally."