Baby Phoebe on Life and Birth
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Life and Birth: Baby Phoebe’s heartwarming survival story

BBC documentary series Life and Birth left viewers sobbing with the heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of baby Phoebe. The first episode of the new series, which aired last night (Tuesday, April 22), featured expectant mum Jodie. Read more: Ross Kemp: On The NHS Frontline documentary divides viewers Unfortunately, she was told by medical professionals […]

By Nancy Brown
| Updated:

BBC documentary series Life and Birth left viewers sobbing with the heartbreaking but ultimately uplifting story of baby Phoebe.

The first episode of the new series, which aired last night (Tuesday, April 22), featured expectant mum Jodie.

Jodie on Life and Birth
On Life and Birth, mum Jodie was told her baby had a problem with her aorta (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Ross Kemp: On The NHS Frontline documentary divides viewers

Unfortunately, she was told by medical professionals her baby Phoebe had a heart condition – and would need heart surgery to correct it.

Coarctation of the aorta

One of the medical professionals told Jodie: “From all the measurements I’ve done today, I’m concerned enough to say there is a narrowing of the aortic arch. We call that coarctation of the aorta.

Jodie on Life and Birth
Doctors said surgery, after birth, was the only option (Credit: BBC)

“The only way to sort this out, when the baby’s born, is by surgery.”

Making matters worse, Phoebe arrived eight weeks – making her too small to be able to survive the operation.

As soon as she was born, the little one was whisked away to a neonatal intensive care unit. Doctors kept her there, in the hope she would gain enough weight to be able to have the life-saving heart op.

Baby Phoebe on Life and Birth
Baby Phoebe arrived eight weeks premature (Credit: BBC)

There was hope near the end of the programme, as it was revealed that baby Phoebe, at four weeks old, had grown enough for her mum to hold her.

A successful operation

And before the credits rolled, on-screen text told viewers: “After 12 weeks, Phoebe had gained enough weight to have her heart operation. Surgeons operated on her for four hours.

“The operation was successful. Phoebe is now at home with her family.”

Baby Phoebe on Life and Birth
At the end, viewers learned Phoebe was home with her family (Credit: BBC)

Reacting on Twitter, one viewer said: “Amazing programme, so choked with baby Phoebe but that smile at the end was precious. What a fighter.”

Someone else wrote: “I’m sobbing… way to go, baby Phoebe.”

“What a fantastic programme #LifeAndBirth!” said another.

https://twitter.com/toffeelady33/status/1252690764938780672

https://twitter.com/alorollo/status/1252700342405529600

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A fourth tweeted: “I was literally holding my breath to see what happened to Phoebe, then burst out crying again. I cannot cope with this series and a pregnant daughter #LifeAndBirth.”

Another said: “Oh my goodness… in bits watching #LifeAndBirth on #BBCOne. Baby Phoebe reminding us about bringing little Nancy into the world. Love a happy ending.”

“Oh god, I absolutely just burst into tears at the fantastic news that Phoebe is home with her family now,” said a sixth.

– Life and Birth continues on BBC One next Tuesday (April 28) at 8pm

What did you think of Life and Birth? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

Related Topics

BBC Documentaries