A mother who refused to terminate her pregnancy is celebrating her “miracle baby” - believed to be the first in the UK to survive after being born with her heart outside her body.

Naomi Findlay and Dean Wilkins, of Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, were warned that the extremely rare condition meant almost no chance of survival.

Now, they have told of their anxious wait after baby Vanellope Hope was born, with doctors warning that the first 10 minutes would prove crucial.

Mr Wilkins, 43, said: “Both Naomi and I were holding our breath waiting for her to take her first breath; we didn’t dare breathe until she took her first breath.

“When she cried, we cried. I felt hopeless and just held onto Naomi and was staring into her eyes praying that it was all going to be ok.”