In a story that defies the odds, Frankie Morrison, a ‘miracle’ baby, not only survived but thrived despite being born with an astonishingly low amount of blood in her body—just two tablespoons.
Frankie’s journey began with an emergency Caesarean section on October 20 last year at Hull Royal Infirmary. Born with only 35ml of blood in her entire body, which is seven times less than the average amount, she had more water than blood within her tiny frame. This dire situation required immediate medical intervention.
Doctors discovered Frankie’s condition when they realized she hadn’t been moving due to the severe lack of blood in her body. Her parents, Maria Sandars, 32, and Chris Morrison, 33, were given the heartbreaking news that their precious baby’s chances of survival were bleak.
Maria, a mother of three from Hull, described her initial encounter with Frankie, saying, “I went up to her and there was this chubby little eight-pound baby who was so bloated because she had all this water instead of blood inside her.” Frankie’s body was drenched, and medical staff had to perform chest drains because water had infiltrated her lungs and chest.
Despite the grim prognosis, Maria saw something in her baby that gave her hope. She said, “But I just took one look at her and knew she was a fighter and would pull through.”
Frankie’s condition, while not entirely unheard of, was exceptionally severe. Doctors cautioned Maria and Chris that even if Frankie survived, she might face significant challenges, possibly being wheelchair-bound or suffering from brain damage for the rest of her life.
Frankie’s journey to recovery was marked by moments of hope. After being stabilized, she was urgently transported to Leicester by helicopter for specialized treatment. Astonishingly, during the journey, she began to show signs of improvement. Within just three days of observations, she was transferred back to East Yorkshire.
Maria, who works as an admin assistant, shared, “She had two blood transfusions while she was at Hull Royal Infirmary, and they must have kicked in during the helicopter ride to Leicester.”
