Twins who were born at the 24-week abortion limit defy the odds to become thriving toddlers
Following the birth of her twin boys, Charlie and Harvey Barker at 24 weeks, British mother Luci Hall has called into question the UK's 24-week abortion limit.
Her premature twins weighed just over 1lb each at birth, yet have defied the odds to become thriving toddlers after doctors told their parents to prepare for the worst. Luci Hall and Joseph Barker, both 26, were terrified when their sons Charlie and Harvey Barker were born at just 24 weeks in May 2017, weighing 1lb 6oz and 1lb 4oz, respectively.
Medics advised the fearful couple not to plan any sort of future for the boys, who could fit into the palm of their mother's hand. Yet, 15 months on, the brothers from Leeds have gone on to defy doctors' expectations. Ms Hall said: 'Seeing how well they've done does make you think about the abortion limit. The thought of anyone getting rid of a baby that late is just awful.
'Harvey and Charlie are proof that a baby born at 24 weeks can survive. They are both little fighters, they proved everyone wrong'. Shamefully, abortion laws in the UK allow babies in the womb to be killed up to the end of the 24th week of pregnancy. Certain circumstances even allow abortion up to the moment of birth, such is the case when the unborn baby has a disability; 90% of unborn babies prenatally diagnosed with Down Syndrome are routinely aborted.
This fantastic story of hope comes as the Royal College of Midwives argues for women in the UK to be allowed an abortion at any point during their pregnancies for any reason. Head of abortion provider BPAS, Ann Furedi is an impassioned advocate for the total removal of all time limits.
Finally time for a reduction in the UK abortion limit?
Pro-life campaigners urge for the time-limit to be reduced due to figures revealing one-third of babies born at 23 weeks survive. New scientific knowledge suggests that at 23 weeks, babies can detect their mothers' movements, as well as having a decent sense of hearing. They can also make facial expressions and produce urine at just 14 weeks, and hiccup at 11 weeks.
Speaking about the birth, Luci recalls: 'When I went into labour, Joseph and I just weren't prepared at all. It all happened so quickly. It was so early and we were so worried about what was going to happen to them. We didn't know if they were going to survive, it was terrifying.
'When they were born they were both rushed straight to intensive care, I didn't get to hold them or see them. Joseph just got to quickly take two photos. I couldn't even get upset about not getting to hold them because I was in shock. I couldn't quite get my head around what was happening. We got to see them three hours later and that's when it really hit us. They were so tiny, you can't even imagine a baby that small. It was really frightening.'
Shortly after the boys' births, their parents received the devastating news that their sons were unlikely to make it. Ms Hall, who gave up her admin job to care for her sons, said: 'Their chances of survival were so slim that we were told to take it hour by hour. They told us not to think about the future because it was so uncertain. We were so scared thinking about losing one of them or both of them, it was devastating. It's not a situation you ever expect yourself to be in when you have your first baby.
'People think of premature babies in incubators but it's not just that, it's the incubator and oxygen machines and wires and head scans and eye scans.
'Charlie and Harvey had seven blood transfusions each, they both had bronchiolitis. They have been through so much. We were watching our babies fighting for their lives. You can't explain what it's like to be in that situation, it's horrendous. It's like your worst nightmare, I felt so helpless.
'All I wanted to do was hold them and comfort them but I couldn't do anything. All I could do was be there every day.'
Despite doctors' dire expectations, the brothers gradually got stronger, with their parents finally being able to hold them after four long weeks. Ms Hall said: 'It gave us both so much hope because we knew then that they were getting stronger. That really kept us positive. They are both little fighters, they proved everyone wrong.'
'After everything we've been through, it is incredible for us to have our family at home and to be able to spend time together and enjoy it.'
'The thought of anyone getting rid of a baby that late is just awful'
Speaking of her sons' progress, Ms Hall said: 'Every day Joseph and I are shocked and amazed by how incredibly they're both doing. 'I am the proudest mum in the world and everything we've had to go through just makes me appreciate my boys so much more.
'Seeing how well they've done does make you think about the abortion limit. I'd never even considered it before, I just accepted it.
'Then the twins came and I saw them in their incubator and suddenly the idea of a baby being aborted at 24 weeks broke my heart. The thought of anyone getting rid of a baby that late is just awful. When I came home I signed a petition to have it changed.'