Family 'given hope' as baby born after surgery while in womb

After struggling to conceive for three years, Rebecca Price and her partner Anthony Wileman had almost given up hope of having a baby.

The pair had been told they would struggle to conceive naturally and, three days before Christmas, were told IVF would be their only option.

But on Christmas Eve, the couple, from Tameside in Greater Manchester, received an early present - one they had been dreaming of for so long.

"We found out we were pregnant with Levi," said Rebecca, 27, about the moment the pregnancy test came back positive after years of disappointment.

"It was a bit of a crazy one because Anthony's daughter kept saying she was writing to the angels to ask for a baby brother for Christmas."

Her pregnancy was full of highs and lows from the start, with the couple facing a number of scares including fears of an ectopic pregnancy during those early weeks.

Then at their 20-week scan, they were told their unborn child had spina bifida, which happens when a baby's spine and spinal cord do not fully develop in the womb.

Rebecca, who had been taking folic acid prior to trying for a baby, was also told the baby may have a number of genetic conditions including Edwards', Patau's or Down's syndrome - although this was later confirmed not to be the case.

"Basically they told us to prepare to discuss termination," said Rebecca.

But, when the couple returned to hospital days later, they were informed that Rebecca was eligible for fetal surgery, where medics operate on a baby while they are still inside the womb.

Due to where they live in the north of England, they would need to travel to UZ Leuven hospital in Belgium for the surgery.

The couple flew to Belgium on 21 May and four days later she had the surgery.

"[Medics] said it went absolutely amazingly, they couldn't have faulted anything that happened," said Rebecca.

But over the weekend, Rebecca began to feel unwell and by the Monday she had started having contractions.

It later transpired Rebecca had contracted sepsis after getting an infection during the surgery.

Levi Wileman was born the following day via c-section on 2 June, 14 weeks early, weighing 1Ib 9oz.

Rebecca only saw Levi for about 10 seconds before he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.

"If they hadn't, mine and Levi's life could have been in danger, so they had to do what they had to do," said Rebecca.

"But [medics] just keep saying how strong he is and about his personality because he really, really, really does tell people off."

Since Levi was born just under two weeks ago, it has been a rollercoaster of emotions - especially as they do not know when they will be able to return home.

"Becca's always saying to me 'what's worrying you the most?'" said Anthony, 32.

"I just say, it's the waiting, it's the not knowing, it's the what's going to be tomorrow.

"We just don't know. That's the problem."

But Anthony said he was thankful for the care Levi had received at the hospital.

"He has more of a survival chance here in Belgium, it's the only reason we're glad we're still here," he said.

But Rebecca said while the couple had experienced constant stress and worry, she would always be thankful for the support from friends, family and complete strangers.

While the NHS has funded their medical care and accommodation, the couple travelled to Belgium with only a small suitcase.

Now they could have to stay in the country until Levi's due date in September.

More than £1,000 has been raised via a Just Giving page to help cover the cost of expenses while in Belgium.

The couple said they wanted to thank everyone who had supported them during this time especially those who had shared messages of hope.

"It's such a crazy and weird thing that we never knew existed to have an operation on your unborn child and then give birth the week after," said Rebecca.

"But it's just knowing that we're not on our own and there's other people that this has happened to and then seeing other people babies who are thriving and literally defying every single odd they've been given.

"It gives us hope because we've gone from being told your baby's got no chance to looking at him and he's definitely okay."

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