Mia Molyneux needed 96 pints of blood as surgeons worked tirelessly to remove a massive growth that was larger than the baby’s head and weighed almost half as much as she did.

Miracle baby Mia Molyneux is doing well – thanks to her mother’s love and the dedication of her doctors and nurses.

Heartbroken mum Michaela, 20, was advised to end her pregnancy after medics discovered a huge growth the size of a melon on her unborn baby’s face.

But she refused – determined to give her daughter every possible chance.

And six days after she was born, surgeons helped Mia overcome an incredibly critical moment by removing a large cyst that was bigger than her head.

During a challenging nine-hour procedure, she received 96 PINTS of blood as she fought through an extraordinary medical journey.

Now, aged 20 weeks, little Mia is safely home with her mum in Widnes, Cheshire.

An overjoyed Michaela said: “I was absolutely terrified when I found out Mia had something wrong with her.

“When she was born I fell in love with her instantly. When I looked at her I saw my baby girl alive, not the growth.

“The operation to remove it was really risky but the surgeons were amazing. I’m just so glad to have my little girl home with me at last.”

At 36 weeks pregnant, Michaela had an MRI which confirmed that Mia had venous-lymphatic malformation – a condition that can lead to large cysts.

A natural birth was considered too risky, so a caesarean was planned as doctors carefully inserted a ventilator into Mia’s throat before the umbilical cord was cut to help her breathe.

Eighteen doctors and nurses were present at Liverpool Women’s Hospital when the little girl was born.

And just three hours after entering the world, Mia was transferred to intensive care at Alder Hey Hospital as doctors closely monitored the massive cyst.

Dr. Adam Donne, the paediatric surgeon who carried out the painstaking procedure, said: “This was an extremely rare and very challenging case.

“It is a wonderful example of doctors and nurses working together to help a newborn.”

Michaela said: “She looked so battered and bruised.

“It was absolutely heartbreaking to see her and not being able to hold her until she was 15 days old.”

She added: “Mia will have scars for life, but it’s a small price to pay.

“When her bandages came off I used to still wrap her in them because I was worried what people would think.

“Now I don’t. She’s been through so much – and I’m so proud of her.”

Source:  The Mirror