Miracle recovery of tot who was wrapped in cling film at birth to keep her alive

A BABY who was born with organs outside her body has been saved by doctors after they used cling film to wrap her up.

Layla Henderson, tragically developed a rare heart condition and pneumonia, which left her weak and seriously at risk of a stroke.

But the brave baby has now overcome her illnesses and has learnt to show off her beautiful smile.
Layla's first smile at one-month-old has helped parents Zoe Sweeney and James Henderson through the worry and fear.

Doctors wrapped Layla in cling film to save her life Michael Traill

And after spending five months in and out of hospital, the proud parents are ecstatic to be able to take their daughter home.

Zoe, 23, said: “It’s magical being at home with her.

“Looking back, I can’t believe we got through it all. She’s been through a hell of a lot and it felt like it was never going to end.

“Every day was a constant worry about what was going to happen next but just seeing her smile helped us get through.

The little girl's lovely smile has kept her parents going Michael Traill

“The first time she was just over a month old. It was a heart-warming moment and the cutest smile I’ve ever seen.

“She was coping, so we felt we should do her proud and be able to cope with it, too.

”When Zoe was 12 weeks pregnant, a scan revealed that Layla was suffering from gastroschisis, meaning there was a hole in her abdominal wall.

And at 37 weeks, Zoe was induced at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, where she gave birth to Layla on April 15.

Layla was born with a rare hernia, which meant her bowel grew outside her body.

The brave baby spent the first week of her life with her intestines hanging above her bed Michael Traill

The poor little girl had to spend the first week of her life with her intestines suspended in a bag over her head.

After a two-hour operation, surgeons successfully managed to manipulate her bowel back into position and she made a speedy recovery.

However, just two months later, Layla fell ill and tests confirmed that she had developed pneumonia and endocarditis, a rare and lethal heart condition.

Layla was forced to endure numerous surgeries, scans and tests at four different hospitals around the country.

The poor tot was in and out of four different hospitals Michael Traill

However, eventually her parents were able to take the little girl back to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, which was closer to home.

Tragically, further tests revealed that Layla had developed a potentailly fatal blood clot over the infection and she had to be airlifted to Glasgow.

Her parents then spent the next two weeks by her side until Layla was allowed to go home again on the September 14.

After tests revealed Layla had developed a fatal blood clot, she was airlifted to Glasgow hospital

Now, nurse Zoe and mechanic James, 26, still have to inject their daughter twice daily with a drug that thins her blood.

But thankfully, doctors have told Zoe that the worst is over after tests have revealed that the clot is getting smaller.

Zoe said: “It’s great being able to have a cuddle in the morning without having to walk through the hospital to see her. Hopefully this time we won’t be going back.

“She’s definitely a fighter. She is a very content, happy baby considering everything that she has gone through and it is very easy to make her smile.”

Proud parents Zoe and James have been through tough times but they're happy their daughter is on the mend Michael Traill

The family are now holding a fundraising event in aid of the Ronald McDonald House charity that helped support them through the difficult time.