Baby Alistair gives parents a surprise arrival

Baby Alistair James Beman gave his parents a surprise when he arrived eight weeks early as they holidayed in Scotland.

First time parents Sally Senton and Nikki Beman thought they were having a break in a remote cottage before their little boy arrived.

But Sally’s waters suddenly broke – when she was just 32 weeks pregnant.

Alistair was born less than 48 hours later and is now back home after a week in hospital.

Sally, from South Milford, said: “It’s been quite surreal because everything was just a whirlwind. It’s happened so fast.”

The couple were staying in West Kilbride at a family cottage when she woke in the early hours and realised her waters had broken. Sally’s pregnancy had gone smoothly but, as they were in a remote location, they called paramedics and were taken to University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock.

Alistair was born the next morning and despite being eight weeks early, he weighed 4lbs 9oz.

“He was born healthy and he did cry immediately, which was a relief,” Sally, 36, said.

Because his lungs were not fully developed, Alistair was taken to the intensive care unit and he was put on a machine to help him breathe and a heat lamp because he was jaundiced. Sally was kept in hospital for a few days and then the couple stayed at their cottage while their son was treated. After his stay in intensive care, he improved and was moved to the High Dependency Unit.

Four days after he was born, they were allowed to hold him for the first time.

“That’s when we got our first cuddles as a family which was amazing. It was overwhelming,” Sally said.

The couple were keen to register their son’s birth in Scotland and agreed he should be called Alistair James.

After nearly a week in hospital, doctors decided he was well enough to be brought to home.

Sheffield-based Embrace arranged for Alistair to be flown back to St James’s Hospital in Leeds. His parents followed by car as Sally was not well enough for the flight. Alistair is doing well, and is likely to be in hospital until his due date of May 18.

Sally said: “We want to thank everybody. The care we have had has been heartwarming and exceptional.”

To donate to Embrace, visit www.tchc.org.uk/about.