A MUM posted a tragic photo of her little preterm baby who had to have his leg amputated.

Kenidee Brownbill, 24, was just 23 weeks pregnant when she gave birth to Mason, an age at which a baby is not expected to survive.

Mason, on the other hand, is a “little fighter” who overcame a rare illness, five life-saving operations, a brain haemorrhage, and the amputation of his left leg.

After a four-month hospital stay, the seven-month-old “micro-preemie baby” is doing well at home.

“He surprises me every day with how strong he is and everything he has gone through,” Kenidee, from Oxford, said.

“It was a bumpy rollercoaster ride.” There were several times when we didn’t believe he’d make it.

“We believe he will be able to walk with a prosthetic limb one day, maybe this year, but it will take time, and I will always follow Mason’s lead and what he wants to accomplish.”

Kenidee, an estate agent, found out she was pregnant with her partner, Micheal Cox, 26, in April 2021, and the couple was “ecstatic.”

“For the most part, my pregnancy was good,” she remarked.

“I felt unwell in the first trimester and had a few bleeding, one of which was fairly serious, but I was content.”

“Then, when I was 23 weeks pregnant, I had some pains that lasted a few days, and I called the Maternity Assessment Unit, who informed me it sounded like pelvic girdle discomfort.”

“However, the aches became increasingly acute. I called again and was instructed to come in. Because it was my first child, I had no idea what to expect during labour.

“When I arrived at the hospital, I felt strange and had to get up.” I leaned over the bed and bled profusely.

“One of the physicians examined me and informed me that I would have my kid that night.”

“It had just been three weeks after my scan. I was concerned and perplexed since everything appeared to be in order on the surface.

Mason was born on August 14 weighing just 610g, compared to a usual infant weighing between 5 and 8 pounds (2,500g to 4,000g).

He was promptly transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for extensive, round-the-clock treatment by professional specialists.

“Before his delivery, I was prepared by the physicians from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), who stated he would likely not be breathing on his own or making any noises when he came out,” Kenidee explained.

“However, my little warrior was breathing and making a small squeak.

“When Mason was born, he was little enough to fit in the palms of your hands.”

“For the first time, we saw him in a plastic bag.”

Plastic wrap is frequently used to protect premature newborns from hypothermia.

“Thankfully, we could both be there 24 hours a day if we wanted to visit him,” Kenidee continued.

“However, because he was so unwell, we couldn’t keep him for three weeks.” That was disastrous.

“The NICU nurse requested for my phone so she could photograph him for me.” I’ll treasure those photos for the rest of my life.”

Mason was born with a rare illness that gradually worsened his condition.

He was also diagnosed with NEC (necrotising enterocolitis), a condition in which gastrointestinal tissues become inflamed and begin to rot.