Prudhoe resident marks anniversary of daughter's survival

Hazel Wiggins, now 45, was told in August 2013 by staff at Hexham General Hospital that her daughter, Amelia, had died in the womb after a scan and was prescribed tablets to induce an abortion.

Prudhoe resident Hazel delayed taking the tablets as her son Dylan's birthday was coming up.

When she returned to the hospital two days later to proceed with the abortion, she was unable to go through with it.

Amelia in intensive care after she was born (Image: Supplied)

She demanded a second scan which revealed that her daughter was still alive. Her experience led to a change in national policy to prevent other mothers from experiencing a similar situation.

READ MORE: The Hexham Courant headlines 150 years ago

She said Amelia, now 10 years old, enjoys football and boxing, and creating Tiktoks with her friends including dancing and Roblox videos.

Hazel Wiggins with Amelia after she was born in 2014 (Image: Newsquest)

Now, all mothers who have scans showing the baby has died will routinely receive a second scan to confirm the diagnosis before being aborted.

"I'd had a bit of a bleed to start with and I'd gone to hospital for a scan. They said they couldn't find a heartbeat. When I went back, I refused to take the tablets.

"Eventually, I got another scan which showed she was still alive, which was an absolute relief."

Amelia (Image: Supplied)

As Hazel's pregnancy progressed, doctors discovered Amelia's bowel, liver and stomach had formed on the outside of her body, a condition known as major exomphalos, along with chronic lung disease and a hole in the heart.

Amelia was due to be born on February 24 2014 but just before Hazel's last scan in January a month earlier, she went into labour.

Amelia was delivered on January 13.

Amelia was in intensive care and had several operations during infancy (Image: Supplied)

"I lived in the Royal Victoria Infirmary on and off for a year. Amelia had numerous operations, but now you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her, she's like a mini-me. She doesn't have to see any surgeons anymore, but she does have to see the respiratory team once a year to check her lungs.

"She's a ray of sunshine and I'm so pleased she's here. She's just brilliant," Hazel said.

Hazel described her daughter as a 'tough cookie' and 'pretty unique', having no belly button and a large scar on her stomach due to surgery.

Amelia enjoys football among other sports (Image: Supplied)

Amelia said it's 'amazing' she's alive now after all she went through as a baby.

"She's a bit flabbergasted by all she had wrong with her, but she knows she's a miracle girl. She's come so far and she's still here to tell the tale," Hazel added.