Beaming with joy , Michael Moloney celebrates his first birthday – a day his mother thought she would never see . But her little boy defied the odds and doctors ' warnings that he had no chance of survival . Michelle Moloney was 18 weeks into her pregnancy when she felt his first kick . Hours later , joy turned to alarm as her waters broke . Michael was eventually born at 26 weeks weighing just 1lb 12oz at University Hospital in Coventry . Mrs Moloney , 38 , and her 36-year-old husband Scott with Lily , 4 , Patrick , 2 , and baby Michael . Doctors said she was likely to miscarry within ten days if she did not accept their offer to induce labour as a way to end the pregnancy . But she refused , and managed to stave off labour for eight more weeks . Michael was eventually born at 26 weeks weighing just 1lb 12oz . Despite being premature he is now thriving , and the family held a birthday party for him on Thursday . Mrs Moloney , 38 , and her 36-year-old husband Scott , a project manager at a car firm , told the Mail how their 'emotional rollercoaster ' began in January last year . ' I felt my baby kick in the early hours , ' said Mrs Moloney , from Coventry . 'It was such a definite kick – the reassurance that every expectant mum longs for . Just a few hours later , my waters broke . I felt terrified . ' Michael was born in the breech position and medics battled for 20 minutes to revive him - he has now celebrated his first birthday . Baby michael smiling with the toy caterpillar that he has been pictured with since his birth . Doctors said they could either induce labour or let nature take its course in up to ten days . Doctors at University Hospital Coventry said she had too little amniotic fluid , which is vital for the baby 's development . The couple , also parents to Lilly , four , and two-year-old Patrick , were given the agonising news they were losing their child . 'It was absolutely devastating ' , Mrs Moloney said . 'The baby was very scrunched up and very tiny . ' Doctors said they could either induce labour or let nature take its course in up to ten days . ' I could feel my baby move , ' said Mrs Moloney . 'There was no way I could go through with an induction . ' She went home expecting to miscarry but the pregnancy kept progressing . At 24 weeks she was admitted to the hospital , where she stayed until she went into labour . Michael was born in the breech position and medics battled for 20 minutes to revive him . Mrs Moloney said : 'Michael had lung damage . It was touch and go in the early days . ' She added : 'He 's a miracle . I 'm so thankful we have our little boy . ' A spokesman for the hospital said : 'We always consider the best interests of the baby . '
Doctors told Michael she was likely to miscarry within ten days . Said she should accept their offer to induce labour to end pregnancy . But she refused and managed to stave off labour for eight more weeks . Michelle Moloney was eventually born at 26 weeks weighing just 1lb 12oz . But 'miracle ' baby has survived the odds and celebrated his first birthday .