Heavily-pregnant mum stabbed in the stomach gives birth to 'miracle baby'

Scunthorpe, UK: A pregnant mum who was stabbed in the stomach has given birth to a "miracle baby."

Lauren Oliver, 25, was seven months pregnant when she suffered multiple wounds in an attack at her home last week.

But incredibly, Lauren survived the horror and a few hours later her baby daughter did too, when she was delivered by Caesarean section.

Harper was born at 33 weeks, weighing 4lbs 1oz.

She remains in special care at Scunthorpe General Hospital, but both she and her mum are said to be doing well.

Riding instructor Lauren, of Belton, Lincs., already mum to six-year-old Ruby, said the newest member to the family is "her perfect little miracle."

She added: "Harper is doing really well, she's a fighter.

"We've had loads of people coming to see us, loads of cards, loads of support.

"I'm just so happy everything has turned out okay, of course there was a moment when I thought she wouldn't live to be a week old so it's really good to see her doing so well.

"She was just so tiny when she was born, the size of a little doll.

"I've been able to hold her quite a bit when they take her out of the incubator, and she is taking milk.

"She was on a ventilator for the first four days of her life but thankfully she's breathing on her own now, that's a real relief.

"It didn't feel real when I held her for the first time. It was just the best feeling ever. I didn't think she would be there. I can't describe how happy I was.

"Harper has a lot of brown hair and she's perfect. We are both so lucky.

"Ruby absolutely loves her and can't wait for us all to go home.

"At the moment we have no idea when that will be. We are just taking one day at a time."

The young mum's neighbours have spoken of their shock at the traumatic events.

Lauren's immediate neighbour Matthew Rawson, 28, said: "Lauren is a fun and bubbly girl...very genuine and a great mum.

"My kids adore her. We're a close community and we are all so relieved they are both fine. Nothing like that's happened round here before."

Another 50-year old neighbour told how Lauren was taken to hospital by ambulance as the air ambulance hovered overhead.

She said: "I can't imagine how her family feel must have gone through.

Lauren's a hard working young mum and a friend of my daughter's.

"Thank goodness they made it through. Someone must have been watching out for them that day."

Nicholas James Leaning, 28, of Scunthorpe, has been charged with one count of attempted murder and one count of attempted child destruction.

He will appear in court on Hull crown court, East Yorks, and remains in custody.

-Mirror