Baby Michael ElliottMIRACLE baby Michael Elliott, who was born six weeks prematurely after his mother died three times on the way to hospital, has surprised everyone by being well enough to be released from hospital two weeks early.

Michael Adam Daniel was delivered by emergency caesarean six weeks early after his mother, Justine Elliott, had to be resuscitated three times on her way to Malmesbury hospital.

Mrs Elliott was transferred to Great Western Hospital in Swindon, where the caesarean was carried out.

Michael weighed just 4lb 6oz when he was born and was expected to be at the Great Western until February 11, his due date. Last week he had not developed the sucking reflex and had to be fed through tubes.

But on Monday doctors released him from the special care baby unit and sent him home with his doting parents and six-year-old sister Amelia.

Dad Karl, said: "We can start concentrating on being a proper family now. Michael's feeding brilliantly and has put on weight."

Mrs Elliott, 33, of Hamilton Drive, Cepen Park, Chippenham collapsed on New Year's Day suffering from critically high blood pressure and eclampsia with convulsions. Her condition was more critical because she had not had any of the usual warning signs.

Mrs Elliott's family were told she or her baby could die as she underwent the emergency caesarean. She said: "I remember going into the hospital and having my blood pressure taken. Then I went to the toilet and had really bad pains in my legs. The pains are the last thing I remember until I came round three days later."

Mrs Elliott returned home from hospital on Wednesday January 12 following life-saving treatment and two days spent in intensive care.

"We are just so lucky Malmesbury hospital was open," she said. "My parents said they don't think I would have made it if it wasn't.

"We so want to thank everybody. The paramedics, the doctors, all the surgeons and the sister on duty at Malmesbury hospital were all so fantastic. The sister was so in control of the situation. She was superb.

"They were all so caring and not just to me but to my family. They took time to explain everything all the time, which was so kind and thoughtful."

Mr Elliott added: "We especially want to thank the special care baby unit for supporting the whole family. They were absolutely fantastic."