Miracle baby almost due home
The mother of a premature baby who was born 17 weeks early has spoken of her mixed emotions a month before her little girl is allowed to go home.
Maggie - the daughter of Adelaide parents Nikki Seymour-Smith and Doug Govan - has been receiving around the clock assistance from Brisbane specialists since her birth in December.
In the family's hometown Maggie and her identical twin Jess were diagnosed with the in utero condition - twin to twin transfusion.
"One is deficient - one has less blood and one has too much blood," Director of Maternal & Fetal Medicine Dr Glenn Gardener explained.
"23 weeks is a very, very early stage to be starting life."
After Nikki was rushed to the Mater Mothers in Brisbane for surgery, she was left with one surviving baby - Jess didn't make it.
"We feel very much that Jess donated her life to her sister and to give her the best chance possible," Nikki said.
Despite the emotional roller-coaster, Nikki still feels blessed to have come out the other side with a beautiful baby girl.
"I've had my days of tears - that's for sure.
"We've been trying to have a child for a few years and have had a lot of challenges so buying a pram, a bassinet, a cot and even sheets and a few things has just been such a beautiful experience for us," the cheery first-time mother doted.
Nikki's partner Doug - Maggie's dad - has had to keep their business running in Adelaide - but gets tries to get to Brisbane as often as he can to see his family.
While Maggie's lungs still need to further develop, in about a month they should all be back in Adelaide where Nikki awaits the second Sunday in May.
"That'll just be so exciting to be a mum on mother's day."
