A LUCKY Kingswinford teenager who miraculously survived being born almost three months premature, will celebrate her 18th birthday next week.

Jasmine Pole, of Ploverdale Crescent, weighed just 2lb 10oz when she was born at Wordsley Neonatal Unit on June 30, 1997.

The birth almost had dire consequences for Jasmine, as her mum Sue suffered from pre-eclampsia and needed to attend surgery to have an emergency caesarean operation.

Sue, 57, said that without the operation Jasmine would not have lasted the night.

“I was very frightened when I came to have her as it was all done so quickly,” she said. “I had to have an emergency c-section and Jasmine came out crying. But then she was whisked off to neonatal and I was put on the high independence unit where I was monitored.

“I did not see her until the following day and then it was only a quick visit. I was given a picture of her before being wheeled straight back to the unit.”

After being in hospital for six weeks – still five weeks before Sue’s due date of September 11 – Jasmine came home weighing 4lbs.

18 years later and Stourbridge College pupil Jasmine has no health problems but does suffer from dyspraxia, which affects her co ordination and fine motor skills, as well as her articulation and speech.

However, even with the struggles Jasmine has faced throughout her life, she said they would never stop her from trying her best or smiling.

Jasmine said: “I face and have faced lots of struggles, such I always found school work and making friends difficult, and I do get tired easily. But really, I think I'm a very lucky girl.”

With Jasmine now about to celebrate a milestone birthday that will launch her into adulthood, Sue said she could not be any prouder of her daughter.

Sue added: “We feel very lucky as it could have been a lot worse. Jasmine has done us proud in everything that she has done in her life so far.”