A PROUD father has spoken of his joy at having his wife and baby back home after their infant son was born prematurely, weighing just 2lb 3oz.Baby Harvey made an unexpected entrance in to the world in April, 11 weeks earlier than expected, after his mother Tessa Buxton developed the potentially-lethal condition pre-eclampsia.

A PROUD father has spoken of his joy at having his wife and baby back home after their infant son was born prematurely, weighing just 2lb 3oz.

Baby Harvey made an unexpected entrance in to the world in April, 11 weeks earlier than expected, after his mother Tessa Buxton developed the potentially-lethal condition pre-eclampsia.

Mrs Buxton, 23, saw a doctor and was then taken to Ipswich Hospital, where she had tests, scans and an emergency caesarean after doctors discovered her baby was not moving very much.

Harvey spent six days in the intensive care unit and was then transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge when it was thought their young son had an infection in his bowel and might need surgery.

He stayed in Addenbrooke's Hospital for three weeks, where a course of antibiotics was able to tackle the problem, before being transferred back to Ipswich Hospital for a further four weeks.

Mrs Buxton had needed to stay in hospital for a week after giving birth to Harvey – and the couple then kept a month-long bedside vigil for Harvey, staying at Addenbrooke's and Ipswich Hospitals with their young boy as he battled for life.

Harvey now weighs 5lb 1oz and has been able to return home to be with his parents at their home in Semer Close, Stowmarket.

His father, Craig, a 21-year-old community support worker for people with learning difficulties in Stowmarket, said: "It's so lovely to have them both home after all we have been through.

"It's been a rollercoaster emotionally, but I'm so proud of Tessa and Harvey. Harvey is starting to put on weight and look more like a baby. When he was born people said he looked like ET, his head was big compared to his small body."

His wife added: "We are thrilled Harvey is doing really well. It has felt like a lifetime, but has gone really quick."

Mrs Buxton, who used to work as a team leader for a residential care home, and her husband said they were grateful to everyone who had helped them.

They added nurses at both hospitals had even made them birthday cards from little Harvey when they had learned Mr and Mrs Buxton were celebrating their birthdays while their young boy was fighting for his life.

Pre-eclampsia is a condition affecting pregnant women and their unborn babies. It causes high blood pressure, swelling and large amounts of protein in the urine.

It can prevent the placenta, which gives air and food to the baby, from getting enough blood and, if untreated, can develop into eclampsia, a serious condition that can cause convulsions and can be fatal for a mother and her unborn child.