EVERY expectant mum eagerly anticipates their first Mother's Day with their impending bundle of joy.

But when the backdrop to that special day is weeks or months spent in the neo natal unit and you're forced to endure what should be a joyous occasion just praying your tiny baby will survive - that opportunity is cruelly snatched away.

Jade Langner, from Shaw, was a first-time mum, trying to cope with the sudden arrival of little Olivia at 24 weeks when she experienced her first Mother's Day last year on the neo natal unit at Royal Oldham Hospital.

Jade, just 22 at the time, spent months by her tiny newborn's side after she was born in December 2016 weighing just 1lb 7ozs and had to undergo numerous blood and platelet transfusions, lumber punctures and had a hole in the heart.

"I was called numerous times in the night to say she was very poorly and might not make it as her lungs kept collapsing," Jade told us.

"I had to dash to the hospital not knowing whether she would survive many times.

"My first Mother's day was very, very emotional. She wasn't even due to be here so for her to be in neo natal fighting to survive was very hard.

"You can't even really cuddle them for long and I couldn't leave the unit with her.

"I just kept thinking this wasn't how I imagined spending my first Mother's Day and that was difficult to deal with."

What did help was a little gift from neo natal charity SPOONS which was set up to provide peer support to parents at Royal Oldham and North Manchester General Hospital.

"I got a present from SPOONS that day and that made it for me to be fair.

"We were given a little candle in a pot, a crocheted flower, a mug which said "Behind Every Superhero Baby is a Superhero Mummy" and little treats like hot chocolate and marshmallows.

"I wasn't expecting it as I know the charity is run by volunteers, so it was just such a nice thing to do. It made a big difference."

Jade has now become good friends with SPOONS trustee and founder Kirsten Mitchell and says the support she's had has been immeasurable.

"When Olivia was due to come home they said she would be on oxygen and I was petrified.

"Another mum told me about Kirsten and how she'd been through the same with her son.

"Kirsten came in to talk to me and eased my fears so much. It was the first time I'd told anyone about things, not even my family, because I knew they wouldn't understand.

"But talking to someone in the same situation was so nice and she gave me more confidence around Olivia.

"Ever since that day she's been the person I go to for support and she's become such a good friend.

"I'd do anything for Kirsten and SPOONS. They've been amazing."

This Mother's Day was different story for Jade. She spent a fun-filled family day in Blackpool with her beautiful daughter who is now making good progress and is definitely the apple of her mums eye!

For more information on SPOONS go to care@spoons.org.uk.