Little Arlo Melville may only be three months old but he is his parent’s very special “rainbow baby”.
Arlo was born to Danielle and Craig Melville, from Arbroath, 13 weeks early on July 16. He weighed only 2lb 3oz and spent the following three months in hospital.
He is the couple’s fifth premature baby. Sadly two of their babies did not survive, including Harper-shae who passed away last November when she, too, was born 13 weeks early.
Danielle said: “Arlo was born only eight months later. Babies who are born immediately after a sibling who has died are known as rainbow babies.
“They are called that because they are the rainbow after the storm. So as well as being our little miracle he is our second rainbow baby.”
Danielle and Craig lost a son, Fletcher, in 2009 when he also was born 13 weeks early.
Their daughter Poppy-rainn, who is now four, is a rainbow baby because she was born after her brother died.
The couple have another daughter, India-rose, 3.
Danielle explained that when she fell pregnant with Arlo soon after her daughter died she had mixed feelings.
She added: “I was happy to be pregnant again but I was also very anxious.
“I had already lost two babies and had two further premature children so I worried constantly throughout this pregnancy.”
Danielle said that because no one had ever been able to give her an explanation as to why she had given birth so early on, on so many occasions, she had no way of knowing if it would happen again.
She added: “When I began to bleed on July 15, I was really scared.”
Arlo was delivered by Caesarean section the following day and was immediately whisked away to the resuscitation unit.
Danielle added: “He screamed when he was born, which I was so happy to hear. Harper-shae hadn’t cried at all and I was expecting the worst with Arlo. However, when he cried, I was so happy he was alive.”
It was two weeks later before Danielle and Craig were actually allowed to hold Arlo.
Danielle added: “We could touch him in his incubator but not hold him.
“Life was difficult at this time with many highs and lows. I spent a lot of time away from our other children and Craig had to continue travelling to his work in Aberdeen every day.
“But we got through it together and it was a great day when we got Arlo home just over a week ago.”
The couple have another son, Harley, 10 who was born on time.