This year’s Miracle Baby of the Year faced seemingly insurmountable odds even before conception. However, his fighting spirit has seen him grow into the thriving young boy he is today.
Winner: Sam Barrett
When Ann and Aidan Barrett decided to start trying for a baby, they soon discovered that this process would be a considerable challenge. After undergoing IVF eight times without success, they were beginning to lose hope. Ann chose to undergo IVF one last time and attempted to increase her chances of fertilisation by also carrying out ovarian drilling. Two weeks after Ann’s ninth round of IVF, finally, Ann was pregnant.
“This award means that in the future Sam will realise that he was my miracle but other people viewed him that way as well. It’s still so raw and it’s still so emotional, it’s just amazing, he’s amazing.”
The couple soon discovered that they were due to have twins but unfortunately, the second child miscarried later in the pregnancy. Thankfully, the other baby continued to thrive throughout pregnancy and at 34 weeks, decided it was time to see the world. Ann underwent an emergency C-section and at 2:02 am on the 21st of June 2017, weighing 4lb 9oz, Sam Barrett was born five weeks premature. Despite complications, due to his umbilical cord becoming entangled around his throat, Sam showed his immeasurable strength and kept fighting.
“Eventually, he started crying and they brought him over and put him on my chest. He was perfect. He was tiny but he was a wee fighter,” recalls Ann. “This award means that in the future Sam will realise that he was my miracle but other people viewed him that way as well. It’s still so raw and it’s still so emotional, it’s just amazing, he’s amazing.”
maternity&infant
*Title image by Paul Sherwood Boots Maternity and Infant Awards, Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire. October 2017*