Grafton miracle babies Lane Graham, Zoey Goodsell beat the odds

For mother Alanna Graham, from a bedridden pregnancy to multiple hospital visits with her newborn baby Lane, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. But she’s proud of her journey, and is sharing her story to help others.

To every parent their baby is a miracle, but for some of the entrants of our recent cutest baby competition, the battles they have fought with their newborn children are an inspiration.

Two mothers have graciously shared their story with The Daily Examiner.

Lane Graham

Bedridden for much of her pregnancy, Alanna Graham could be excused for wanting her baby out as soon as possible.

But at 36 weeks and six days, her waters broke and Lane Graham was born within an hour.

“He didn’t cry much or make much noise, wouldn’t feed and looking back at photos he was a bit blue,” she said.

Medical staff then took him away for some checks.

Within two hours, he was connected to a breathing machine and being readied for a trip to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

“I’m afraid of tight spaces and heights so I couldn’t fly … so my father-in-law drove me down,” Ms Graham said.

“Though as soon as I stepped out of maternity, four hours after giving birth, I fell down and twisted my ankle, but I didn’t care.

“I just said ‘drive’ and it throbbed the whole way.”

Lane was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Ms Graham said staff fed him through a tube for the first two days.

He regained strength with his mum bedside before being sent back to Grafton and then home.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing at home, with Lane going back into hospital for jaundice and other issues with putting on weight.

Ms Graham said she was still suffering the effects of her pre-pregnancy illness and had endured post-natal depression.

“It’s been nearly nine months and I’m a lot less stressed now,” she said.

“There’s no shame in suffering, which I think a lot of people do and people should go to seek help whether it’s being medicated or talking to psychiatrist – I’m happy to say that out loud.”

As for Lane, Ms Graham said he was cruisy and very happy, though a rogue first tooth was causing some issues.

“He’s very little for his size but he’s starting to crawl around,” she said.

“It definitely was all worth it.

“With the kids, I just think they’re the best thing to ever come into your life.”

Elliana Taylor

When Elliana Taylor was born by C-section with the cord wrapped around her neck six times, mum Zoey Goodsell got one quick look before she was whisked away.

“The doctor said that was a record,” Ms Goodsell said.

“She didn’t take her first breath for 12 minutes, but after she was on CPAP (breathing assistance) she took the breath, and they rushed her away.”

Although Elliana recovered well initially, Ms Goodsell and partner Riley Taylor noticed she was making loud grunting noises and struggling to breath.

They took her back the hospital where medical staff found her oxygen saturation was dropping below a safe level.

She was going to be flown to Newcastle but a storm sent them further to the Children’s Hospital at Randwick.

Elliana was found to a laryngeal cleft – an opening the voice box.

She is now fed through a nasalgastric tube as any solids go to her lungs instead of her stomach.

She will undergo further surgery to permanently repair the hole.

“We’ve racked up 50 nights in hospital so far, and we’re about to go down again,” Ms Goodsell said.

Despite all the fuss, it is something Elliana has taken in her stride, with a big smile for everyone, especially her big sister Marlee, who carries around a doctors kit.

“She is the happiest baby and just laughs continuously,” Ms Goodsell said.

“She’s got tubes all over her face, but you wouldn’t even know she’s sick – she’s just high on life.

“It’s been such a terrible time and it’s so stressful and mentally draining.

Ms Goodsell said her family drew on the strength Eilliana provided, being so happy through such adversity.

“She’s a little legend.”