Baby born so small that dad's wedding ring can fit on her arm

Baby Mollie Perrin was so small her dad James could slip his wedding ring on her arm Credit: Caters

Born three months premature, baby Mollie Perrin was so small her dad could slip his wedding ring on her arm.

Proud dad James, 38, took the picture of the miracle baby when he was allowed to cuddle her for the very first time - 25 days after she was born.

Doctors had told devastated parents James and Stephanie, 34, that their daughter may not live more than three weeks.

But 17 weeks on, her proud parents are preparing to bring her home for the first time after she defied doctors' expectations.

She now weighs a healthy 5lb 10oz.

"After weeks of watching parents come and go with their own babies, it's finally going to be time to take our little one home," dad James said.

"The joy and relief we feel is just amazing, we can't wait to be able to finally be a family, it's so incredibly special to be able to say we can take Mollie home."

Mollie was diagnosed with the placental disorder, Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), before birth meaning that she wasn't able to get enough nutrients in the womb.

At their first scan, doctors warned that Mollie would be so tiny and weak that she was unlikely to live more than three weeks.

While pregnant, mum Stephanie was admitted into hospital to have regular ultrasounds to make sure Mollie was still alive.

She was born by emergency cesarean section on April 27 at Hull East Yorkshire Women and Children's hospital.

Weighing just 470g, a little over 1lb, doctors gave her a slim chance of survival.

She was one of the smallest babies ever to have been born at the hospital that survived.

Fearing the worst, her parents decided to have her christened at the hospital surrounded by her family.

Doctors so impressed by Mollie's survival are now confident that she will catch up with children her own age, even if she is slightly smaller.

And now the delighted parents are preparing to start a normal family life with Mollie at their home in Hull.

"It just shows that it is possible to overcome all the odds, and miracles do happen," James said.