Parents determined to see child they were told would not live for very long

Stefanie and Adam holding baby Stephanie (Image: Amber Bourret Photography)

• Baby Samantha was born with Patau's syndrome, a serious genetic disorder which causes facial features defects
• Stefanie and Adam had braced themselves for mere minutes with their daughter

For so many excited parents-to-be, the birth of their child marks the first day of a hugely different - and very special - type of family life.