Angie Baker called Raiya her 'little miracle'

A Sussex mother who suffered 18 miscarriages has spoken of her "little miracle" after giving birth following specialist treatment in Epsom.

Angie Baker, 33, from Peacehaven, gave birth to daughter Raiya on 9 December.

She received treatment for a high number of subtype white blood cells, which attacked the foetus believing it to be a foreign body.

Ms Baker said: "I'm overwhelmed, it seems like a dream. She's perfect in every way."

From the age of 20, Ms Baker's miscarriages took place one after another, between five and eight weeks after conception.

She said: "Emotionally it was a rollercoaster. Every time I got pregnant I was hoping this was the one and it wasn't going to end in a miscarriage.

"Deep down I always thought it would be a little problem that could be cured."

Ms Baker was treated by Dr Hassan Shehata, a specialist in recurring miscarriages at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Angie Baker gave birth to Raiya after 18 miscarriages

She was found to be suffering from high levels of Natural Killer (NK) cells following tests only available in Epsom, Liverpool and Chicago.

Dr Shehata prescribed Ms Baker treatment which involved taking a high dose of steroids two weeks prior to conception and 12 weeks after.

Dr Shehata, who sees patients from all over the world, said he had only read about one other case where a woman had had as many as 18 miscarriages before a successful birth.

He said: "Eighteen miscarriages is a huge number. You're more likely to win the lottery than have 18 miscarriages through bad luck."

Dr Shehata said one in five women will have a miscarriage, one in 25 will have two and one in 15,000 will have five.

Following the birth of Raiya, Ms Baker said: "I absolutely love it. I enjoy every moment. It's so precious.

"I can't believe she's here and she's mine."