THE parents of a “miracle” baby who defied doctors’ grave fears have spoken of their joy as they prepare to celebrate her fourth birthday on Christmas Day.

In 2016, life looked heartbreakingly different for Ruth Mothersdale and Tom McKenna after they were dealt the devastating blow their much-longed for baby would not survive childbirth, or would die soon after.

At what should have been a time of excitement and looking forward to the future, the couple were advised to terminate the pregnancy.

Despite finding themselves in such a distressing situation, the Heaton couple made the brave decision to carry on, feeling they would rather have some time with their baby than nothing at all.

Four years on, adorable Joanne is like any other child of her age and the pride the couple have shines through as they reflect on the milestone moments they never thought they would experience.

The magic of Christmas Day is now made even more special with the added celebration of Joanne’s birthday.

Ruth, 28, said: “At the time, we didn’t think we were going to get any time with her, now she’s going to be four. It’s surreal.”

The couple, who also have a nine-year-old son TJ, had suffered a number of miscarriages and thought the worst when Ruth began to experience complications while pregnant with Joanne.

At 14 weeks, a scan revealed there was no water in the amniotic sac, but their baby had a clear heartbeat.

Weekly scans revealed waters weren’t developing and at a consultation at 20 weeks, the couple were told that there was a three per cent chance their baby would survive childbirth and if she did, would die soon after.

After deciding to continue with the pregnancy, Ruth, who was due in February, went into labour on Christmas Day 2016 and baby Joanne arrived early, weighing 4lb 11oz.

Fearing the worst, the couple had not bought anything for their new arrival and they focused on making the most of every moment they could spend with her.

But as the hours passed, Joanne was still with them, defying the awful warning her parents had prepared for. Doctors called it a “Christmas miracle”, said Tom.

Joanne was in hospital for around three weeks while tests were carried out and was then able to go home with the help of the neo-natal team.

But, it wasn’t all plain sailing. Joanne was in and out of hospital for much of the first year of her life and in one terrifying experience, Ruth and Tom had to resuscitate the tot at home when she stopped breathing.

“It was awful, it was absolutely awful,” Tom said. “I never want to do that again, ever.

“It was ‘if I don’t do this, she’s going to die’.

“Afterwards, when we went to hospital, I just broke down in the corridor.

“I just broke down and started crying.”

Eventually, Joanne was signed off by doctors and each year that now passes is a poignant reminder of how they were expecting things to be so different.

Tom, 30, said: “She’s really outgoing, really bubbly, she always puts a smile on my face.

“When I came home the other night, she was sitting on the bottom step waiting for me.”

It was the kind of precious moment the couple never thought they would experience with Joanne, who is now in nursery and coming into her own.

Ruth said: “She wants to help with every little job, she wants to help with everything.”

Tom added: “She’s come on absolute leaps and bounds. She’s lovely.

“We are really happy. It’s hard to comprehend, because you put your faith in doctors and obviously you take on board what they are saying.

“Here we are, four years later. She’s just like a normal, happy, soon-to-be four year old.”

The pair say the initial stress and worry they faced in the first part of Joanne’s life has now gone, and it’s onwards and upwards for the family.

Ruth said: “It’s amazing. It’s surreal to think what we were expecting and what was going to happen, to now - she’s going to be four, she’s here.

“She’s a miracle.”

Even now, the couple are in awe of how things have turned out.

“It’s mad, it’s really mad,” said Tom.

“You would not think all that happened before.”