29/2/2008

Local News

Mums are special every day

Alison Cox with daughter Isobel who is thriving after being born three months premature in 2005.

To celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, the News and Mail spoke to some mums and their children about what their relationship means to them. Beth Woodger, Shane Brock and Rob Brown report.

When baby Isobel Cox was born more than three months premature, her parents were scared they would lose her. But now the cheerful toddler is approaching her third birthday and her mother, Alison, is looking forward to celebrating Mother’s Day with her little girl.

St John’s couple Alison and Simon Cox featured in the News and Mail in December 2005 spending their first Christmas with Isobel after she was born in April that year.

Isobel was born by emergency caesarean after doctors at St Peter’s Hospital discovered Mrs Cox was suffering from sudden onset pre-eclampsia.

Giving birth just 26 weeks into the  pregnancy was the only option for mother and baby and Isobel spent the first four months of her life in hospital before she was strong enough to go home.

Part-time IT consultant Mrs Cox, 39, said: “It was very emotional when we had our first cuddle when Isobel came out of the ventilator.

“I was overwhelmed, it was just amazing. Isobel is absolutely wonderful, she’s so happy and chatty and a cheerful little girl. She loves animals and singing and dancing.

“We always worried she would be affected by her premature birth but we have been under the care of the hospital and been going back to see the consultant and were discharged in July last year, as they were so pleased with her fantastic progress.

“We will be spending Sunday together as a family and will probably be making cakes or doing some craft or going for a walk.”

Isobel is too young to understand the concept of Mother’s Day now but Mrs Cox believes that in a few years’ time, her toddler will be very appreciative of her mum on the special day.

Mrs Cox said: “She is a very caring little person. If somebody is upset she will want to help them. Simon and I will both be sending a card and flowers to our mothers. It is lovely being a mother — and looking at how Isobel has turned out.”

First printed in: Woking News and Mail

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