IT’S a dilemma faced by doctors every day – should they help very premature babies survive?

The moving story of Tracy Godwin, who cradled her dying son for 46 minutes, highlighted the devastation that can be caused when doctors do not intervene.

Miss Godwin’s son Tom was born in March last year at 22 weeks, which meant the 31-year-old from Oldmead, Eastwood, could expect no help from medical staff at Southend Hospital because doctors don’t attempt to resuscitate babies born under 24 weeks.

But Miss Godwin’s experience has prompted another mum to speak out about what these babies can endure if they do survive.

Nicola Mitchell’s son Ethan was born at Southend Hospital at 24 weeks and had every assistance in his battle to survive. But it has been a gruelling journey for the tot that has seen him close to death on more than one occasion.

Ethan was born on October 23, 2009 after his mother suffered a seizure caused by high blood pressure – eclampsia.

He weighed just 1lb 11oz, but this dropped to 1lb 3oz in the days after his birth.

Mrs Mitchell, 31, said: “If I was a new mum and was told they weren’t going to resuscitate my baby then I would be upset, but knowing what I know now I think I would accept it.

“Everyone wants to fight for their child, but Ethan has been through so much. He had part of his bowel removed, he had a bleed in his lungs and on his brain. He has had too many blood transfusions to count. He is still on oxygen at 17 months and he is fed by tube.

“He is beautiful and developing well. He laughs and shouts, but it has been a tough journey for him and us as a family.”

There were many times when it didn’t look as if Ethan would make it. Mrs Mitchell who is also mum to ten-year-old Megan, says she is overjoyed her lovely son survived, but she wants to warn others about the struggle they might have to endure.

She added: “Ethan has had six admissions to intensive care units and in April last year he was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital where they decided he shouldn’t be resuscitated. They told me to bring his brother and sister to say goodbye, but he pulled through.

“It has been a struggle for everyone, but he is a little fighter.”