A young mum who gave birth prematurely after becoming critically-ill with swine flu has been allowed home from hospital in time for Christmas.

Twenty-year-old Jodie Brewin will celebrate tomorrow at home in Ravenscliffe, with her relieved parents Sue and Paul Brewin, who had feared she would die.

However, the family will have to wait until the New Year for the best present of all – to bring baby Miley Amber home.

The tiny tot was not due to be born until January 24 but arrived on November 4 as her mother fought for her life in Bradford Royal Infirmary.

While swine flu has been a relatively mild illness in the majority of people, it has proved much more serious to pregnant women. Jodie’s medical notes will now be used by doctors to try and understand why this is the case.

Miley weighed just 2lb 8oz at birth and has been cared for ever since on the special care baby unit at BRI and is doing well.

Jodie, who spent two months in hospital, including 27 days under sedation in intensive care, is still weak and is reliant on a wheelchair, but is recovering from her ordeal. New grandmother Sue Brewin, 40, is urging all pregnant women to have a swine flu vaccination. “I don’t want others to go through what we have,” she said. “It has been very emotional and scary.”

She said the hospital had been fantastic. “I can’t thank the staff on ICU and the special care baby unit enough for saving both Jodie and Miley and for the love and care everyone in ICU gave Jodie in the 27 days she was sedated and for the support they gave us,” she said.

“Plus, thanks to the high dependency unit where Jodie was for three days before moving to ward one where the staff were lovely.

“Jodie nearly died and we are just so grateful she is still here.”

Jodie was admitted to BRI on Tuesday, October 20, with a temperature, sickness and aching legs. Her condition quickly deteriorated and by the Saturday she was in intensive care fighting for her life.

Jodie’s father Paul, 38, told how Jodie’s condition deteriorated so much doctors said they were considering delivering the baby even though Jodie was only 26 weeks pregnant.

“We asked if we were going to lose them,” he said. “They did not say the actual words, they just said they would do their best for them – they were brilliant.”

In the end Jodie’s condition improved slightly and she managed to hold on for another two and a half weeks before her waters broke and Miley was delivered by caesarean.

Mr and Mrs Brewin, who have four other children, were the first to see baby Miley as she came out of theatre.

“It was very emotional just to see this little thing who had been fighting with her mummy for so long,” said Mrs Brewin.

Jodie, who was still under sedation, did not know she had given birth to her daughter until over a week later and it was two weeks before she was well enough to meet her for the first time.

“Jodie still could not sit up but she got to cuddle her daughter. It was very emotional,” said Mrs Brewin.

Jodie was eventually discharged from hospital on Saturday and with the help of physiotherapy it is hoped she will be able to recover the strength in her muscles and walk again.

Mrs Brewin added: “We just want Miley home now. We know we have lots of hard work in front of us but we don’t care because we have the girls with us.”

e-mail: claire.lomax @telegraphandargus.co.uk