A baby girl who was born prematurely at 24 weeks weighing just 669 grams has defied the odds to celebrate her 10th birthday.
Rachel Crowther, from Queensland, was given a five per cent chance of survival – and if she did live, she would most likely suffer brain damage or a crippling disability.
Her mother Rhonda, 45, said her newborn daughter was so tiny, her husband Colin, 47, could even slide his wedding ring over her leg.
‘Imagine a 600mL bottle of Coke… that was her,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Rachel was so tiny and skinny, her dad could fit his wedding ring over her leg. Her head was the size of a tennis ball.’
Baby girl Rachel Crowther (pictured in an incubator in 2007) was born prematurely weighing just 669 grams as her mother Rhonda smiles in the background
The little girl was so tiny, her father Colin, 47, could even slide his wedding ring over her leg
The adorable schoolgirl, from Queensland, has defied the odds to celebrate her 10th birthday
Little Rachel was born almost 16 weeks early after her mother suffered a placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus.
Luckily, Mrs Crowther was deemed ‘low grade’ after she got herself checked early.
But after Rachel was welcomed into the world on October 14, 2007, the family were told to expect the worst.
‘I was actually really angry. They pretty much told me to let my baby die,’ the mother said.
‘The doctors told us to take lots of photos because there was a good chance that’s all we’ll take home… So we ended up taking 2,500 photos and hours of videos.
‘But my maternal instinct fired up, I knew Rachel would survive. We just told ourselves we would take each day as it comes.’
Happy family: After a whirlwind start, little Rachel has been enjoying her life like any little girl (pictured with her mother Rhonda, father Colin and younger sister Rebekkah)
She was given a five per cent chance of survival – and if she did live, she would most likely suffer brain damage or a crippling disability
The now-45-year-old mother said she felt ‘amazed’ when she breastfed her baby the first time
Little Rachel was so tiny, her mother compared her to the size of a 600mL bottle of Coke
The parents were not allowed to touch their fragile baby for two weeks – as she was placed in an incubator at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital’s Grantley Stable Neonatal Unit.
‘The first time I got to hold her, I was just in shock,’ she said.
‘I finally had the chance to bond with my baby, and she felt like a real baby. When she was born, it didn’t seem real to me. I remember looking at this tiny little red creature.
‘I didn’t get to bond or connect with her until I got to hold her for the first time. The first time I got to breastfeed her, I was just amazed she could do it.
‘She was still so tiny and I remember thinking “this is how it’s supposed to be” – this was running through my head.
‘When she first opened her eyes, they were entirely black, it was freaky,’ Mrs Crowther added, laughing.
After Rachel was welcomed into the world in 2007, the family were told to expect the worst – but against all odds, she has become a healthy, active little girl who loves playing sports
Little Rachel sharing a loving hug with her father Colin, who has been by her side since birth
The brave girl (pictured now) proved herself to be a fighter when she was finally allowed to go home with her parents for the first time after spending 121 days in hospital
Rachel also underwent a couple of rounds of heart surgeries when she was just 19 months old.
The brave girl proved herself to be a fighter when she was finally allowed to go home with her parents for the first time after spending 121 days in hospital.
And against all odds, Rachel is now a healthy schoolgirl who loves playing sports.
‘Rachel loves cooking, gets academic achievements at school – she’s the top of her class – and loves family camping trips,’ she said.
‘She has always been more an outdoors type kid.’
Rachel returned to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Thursday to celebrate her early 10th birthday – the hospital was where doctors miraculously saved her life 10 years ago
Against all odds, Rachel (pictured with her doting mother Rhonda and her four-year-old sister Rebekkah) is now a healthy schoolgirl who loves playing sports
She will be celebrating her 10th birthday at McDonald’s on Saturday for McHappy Day – an annual charity event held by Ronald McDonald House – an organisation that supports families of seriously ill children.
‘The Ronald McDonald House has always been a special place in our heart,’ Mrs Crowther said.
‘When Rachel was in hospital, I stayed at the RMH down the road from her. So now we do everything to support them after they helped me get through my tough time.’
She will be celebrating her 10th birthday at McDonald’s on Saturday for McHappy Day
Little Rachel playing with her younger sister Rebekkah, who is now four years old
For parents who have given birth to premature babies, Mrs Crowther advises: ‘Ask lots of questions, and keep asking questions until you get the answer’.
‘It’s a tragic but an amazing experience. And to come out 10 years later, it’s just great to show the world how far we’ve come, and how far Rachel has come.’
Her story comes as families, friends and supporters will rally behind the annual Walk for Prems event, held on October 29.
Thousands will walk and run at locations around Australia to raise funds for Life’s Little Treasures Foundation. The money will go towards providing vital services to families of premature and sick babies.