A “miracle” baby girl born weighing only half as much as a standard bag of sugar and facing little chance of survival has defied the odds to be reunited with her family after spending more than four months in neonatal care.
Hope Goldie was born on December 8, 2025 at just 22 weeks, compared to the average pregnancy which lasts 40 weeks. The premature tot weighed just 511 grams at birth – the very limit of what modern medicine can support.
Babies born this early face huge setbacks and heartbreakingly, only a small minority live to leave hospital. Parents Sharon Fernie and Gary Goldie admit they were filled with “uncertainty” and were forced to take “one day at a time”.
Hope spent her first 85 days receiving specialist care in Glasgow before being transferred to the Neonatal Unit in Victoria Hospital in Fife where staff continued to support her and her family through the next stages of her recovery.
View 4 ImagesBabies born this early face significant challenges and only a minority survive to leave hospital(Image: NHS Fife)
Incredibly, Hope defied expectations and was reunited with her parents and older siblings, Rome and Remy, at home in Glenrothes in April after 142 days in neonatal care.
Staff on the unit described Hope’s extraordinary progress since birth as a “miracle”.
Mum Shannon said: “We didn’t know what the future would hold when Hope was born.
“Every day felt like a milestone and every small step forward was a reason to celebrate.
“Bringing her home was a moment we dreamed about for months. It was the most challenging time of our lives.”
View 4 ImagesHope is at home in Fife with her proud parents and older siblings, Rome and Remy(Image: NHS Fife)
Shannon and Gary have now launched their own business, Hope’s Tiny Tapes, producing oxygen tapes designed for babies and young children who need medical support, to give back to the service that helped save Hope’s life.
The tapes are specialised, skin-safe medical adhesives used to secure nasal cannulas (the tiny tubes that provide extra oxygen) to the baby’s face to preventing the tubing from shifting or rubbing against the skin.
Their ambition is to use the venture to raise funds and donate money to NHS Fife’s Neonatal Unit, helping other families facing similarly difficult journeys.
View 4 ImagesHope with her older brothers Rome and Remy(Image: NHS Fife)
Amy Moran, Senior Charge Nurse in the Neonatal Unit, Victoria Hospital, added: “Hope’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
“Babies born this early face enormous challenges, and every milestone she reached was a testament to her determination, the love and dedication of her family, and the expert care provided by the neonatal teams.
“We are delighted for Shannon, Gary, Rome, Remy and, of course, Hope herself. Seeing Hope thrive at home with her family is exactly why we do what we do.”
Article continues below
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.