One of Britain’s smallest newborns has miraculously survived despite being born prematurely at 22 weeks and weighing just over 500 grams.

Austin Douglas weighed just over 500 grams when he was born 18 weeks early on March 31st. Doctors told his parents, Helen, 30, and Rhys, 25, that there was little chance their son would survive because he was so small. Austin Douglas was even smaller than his mother’s palm.

His skin was so thin that his internal organs were visible, and the holes in his ears hadn’t even formed yet.

However, miraculously, after a few weeks of intensive care at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Austin made a remarkable recovery.

Currently, the maximum time limit for abortion in the UK is the 24th week of pregnancy, as the fetus is considered fully developed after that. Austin Douglas was born at 22 weeks, two weeks before the deadline for an abortion.

Helen was taken to Leicester General Hospital after experiencing severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding halfway through her pregnancy. Doctors said her uterus was fully dilated and there was no way to prevent the baby’s birth.

Helen said: “He fought for his life. We were asked if we wanted medical assistance for our baby, even though he was so small and the chances of survival were extremely low.

I told the doctors that if he was still breathing, I wanted them to do whatever they could. His skin was so thin you could see his internal organs, and his ears weren’t fully developed yet.”

Medical staff placed the baby in a special incubator right next to his mother’s bed. Austin was then taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and stayed there for seven weeks. Doctors warned Austin’s parents that he might have a lung infection, but Austin pulled through.

Recently, Austin was transferred to Leicester Royal Hospital and is showing positive progress.

Helen said: “He’s grown so much; now I have to hold him with two hands because he’s bigger than my husband’s hands. His heartbeat is strong and his breathing is getting better. We pray every day; I’ve never prayed so much since he came into the world.”

Helen suffers from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and was warned that she would not be able to conceive. Therefore, her pregnancy with Austin was a miracle.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed. He is a miracle.”

Jonathan Cusack, a neonatal researcher at Leicester Hospital, said: “Austin is showing very good signs right now; he’s a real warrior. However, he still has a very long way to go.”