When Rachelle Mainse was born three months premature more than 14,000 kilometres from home 30 years ago, doctors told her family her chances of survival were minimal.

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Her parents, from Canada, had just arrived in Brisbane to participate at one of the pavilions at Expo 88 when her mother went into labour.

Little Rachelle was born weighing just 1.2 kilograms on May 20, 1988, and thrown into the fight of her young life.

Her hands were so small her father's wedding ring could easily fit into the palm of her hand.

Doctors warned her parents that her chances of living were just 15 per cent.

Thankfully, baby Rachelle not only survived but thrived, and was able to return home to Canada four months later, happy and healthy.

Now, three decades on, she has come back to Australia to meet the doctors who safely delivered her, and the woman who took her family in like one of her own during their time of need.

"For me to say thank you is one of the most important things to me. It's one of the most special words," Ms Mainse said.

"But thank you doesn't feel like enough. I think more than anything a huge hug will maybe communicate what I can't put into words. Because thank you just doesn't seem like enough at this point.

"My eyes are filling with tears just thinking about that moment.

"This is once in a lifetime. It's just so special."

Rachelle Mainse spent months in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital following her early arrival. ( Supplied: Rachelle Mainse )

Reunion 30 years in the making set for Sunday

The doctors who safely delivered and cared for Ms Mainse at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital were John Chenoweth and Barry Steinberg.

Beverly Wilson, who Ms Mainse calls her "Australian grandmother", took her family in for months until they were able to travel back home.

This Sunday, which is Ms Mainse's 30th birthday, she will see Dr Chenoweth, Dr Steinberg, and Ms Wilson for the first time in three decades.

Sorry, this video has expired Rachelle Mainse's parents discuss her premature birth with a doctor

"It's just incredible. We lost contact with Beverly years ago, many years ago. She's in her 90s now and when her daughter told her someone was trying to get in contact with her from 30 years ago she knew it was me," Ms Mainse said.

"My friend who got in contact with Beverly's daughter said she thinks of me every day and prays for me every day. So this is just crazy.

"She's my Australian grandmother. I want to hug her and thank her and tell her how much she means to my family."

'I'm alive because of God'

Ms Mainse's story made headlines in Canada at the time of her birth.

Her grandfather, David Mainse, was founder and host of Christian talk show 100 Huntley Street, one of Canada's longest-running daily television shows.

He would provide updates to his audience of Ms Mainse's condition, and ask for their prayers.

Ms Mainse weighed just 1.2kg when she was born. ( Supplied: Rachelle Mainse )

"He just got on television rallying the nation of Canada to pray for me," Ms Mainse said.

"So literally to this day I still have people, I have no idea who they are, say they prayed for me."

Ms Mainse, who now resides in Texas in the United States, said it was God in recent months who put her on the path to return to Australia.

She said it was God who saved her when she was born.

"I know God obviously used the doctors … that this is God's story and he saved my life. I know that I'm here and I know that I'm alive because of God," she said.

Doctor recalls helping deliver premature baby

Dr Steinberg, who is still practicing in Brisbane, recalled treating Ms Mainse all those years ago.

"I remembered the name, I remembered the situation," Dr Steinberg told ABC News.

Ms Mainse with her parents about four months after she was born. ( Supplied: Rachelle Mainse )

"She was born very early and she was very small, we went through the support process of looking after a very small preterm baby and all the stresses for the family who were a long way from home.

"I do recall that we did an interview for Canadian TV just before they left."

Dr Steinberg said it was lovely to hear Ms Mainse was doing well and looking forward to getting in contact.

"It's good to see a happy outcome, and I trust she's well with whatever her chosen career is," he said.

"I'd be very happy to chat to her."

Dr Steinberg worked at Royal Women's Hospital for close to 30 years, winding up in 2006.

Today he is involved with a private hospital, continuing to look after babies in special care.

"I certainly do have some people make contact over the years. I've had one of my extremely small premature baby who has made regular contact with me going back probably 35 years now," Dr Steinberg said.

"I do get messages from parents who I've looked after as premature babies many years later when they've had their children as well.

"It's lovely to have that contact."