Baby Alexandra McCann’s rough start to life is over – the seven-week-old is due home for the very first time tomorrow.

Parents Emma Barton and Paul McCann are overjoyed that their infant daughter, who has already had two major operations, will spend her first night at Thornbury in her own cot.

Alexandra was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, where her lower jaw was so small it caused life-threatening breathing problems.

At birth Alexandra was whisked straight to The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), where she was monitored before having jaw distraction surgery at four weeks, Ms Barton said.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Jocelyn Shand attached metal devices to both sides of Alexandra’s jaw and linked them to adjustable rods.

The device will be removed in a month, and her cleft palate closed surgically when she is a year old.

Words by Marianne Betts.

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