One in 10 babies is born prematurely. Tomorrow marks World Prematurity Day and, as Zoe Ash reports, one local charity established to help the families of those born early is going from strength to strength. Just like the people it supports…

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When Jo Pickford went into labour five weeks early nothing could have prepared her or husband Rob for what happened next.

Their son was due on 16 November 2011, but Jo woke on 10 October feeling ill and uncomfortable.

‘Rob said, “are you in labour?”, and I just told him not be ridiculous.’

But by 8.30am Jo knew something was happening and an examination at the PEH revealed she was half-way through labour.

A scan showed the baby had fluid in his abdomen and needed to be born as quickly as possible.

Isaac was delivered at 11.22am, the skin across his bloated abdomen stretched tight.

‘They weren’t exactly sure what the problem was, but it wasn’t good… Isaac was immediately put onto a resuscitation table.

‘I couldn’t look at him. I asked Rob if he was moving and he said yes. I knew he was lying but I chose to believe him at that moment,’ said Jo.

• Read the rest of this interview in today’s Guernsey Press