Meet the baby born with one arm and no legs who is perfect just the way he is. Little Henry Higgs, now 11 months, loves to splash around in the bath and reach out and touch his toys.
Mum Rosie Higgs, 29, had been told her unborn son might have amniotic band syndrome – a condition which would stop his limbs from growing properly – at her routine 20-week scan. Mum Rosie Higgs, 29, had been told her unborn son might have amniotic band syndrome – a condition which would stop his limbs from growing properly – at her routine 20-week scan.
She said people questioned whether she should terminate the pregnancy – but Rosie insists she had “no doubt” she was going to keep her baby boy. Little Henry arrived via c-section and had just one arm and with a webbed hand. Rosie, a special needs school care assistant, from Harrow, London, said: “When I was told my baby would only have one arm – and no legs – I was so worried and upset.
“But there was no doubt in my mind that I was keeping him – no matter what I was advised.” Rosie added: “It was scary at times being pregnant. I had scans every four weeks – they kept a close eye because every scan was saying something different. “When I was at work it was OK because I didn’t think too much. But when I had to stop work I was really overthinking things.
“I was worried something might go wrong. “But he is such a happy chap and doesn’t let his disability hold him back in any way. “He’s got a cheeky smile and he’s always laughing. He loves his big sister. “He might not have all of his arms and legs, but he’s absolutely perfect to me.” Rosie couldn’t have her supportive mum, Paula, 55, and partner Peter, 39 by her side during her scans, due to lockdown
Rosie added: “Not being able to have my mum with me at the birth was heartbreaking, especially as I knew Henry was high risk. “Luckily the midwives were absolutely incredible. “I was so stressed throughout my pregnancy and when Henry was born the midwives asked if I wanted to see him straight away because I was nervous. “Scans can only tell you so much. It was such a build up and a worry when he first came out I didn’t know what to expect.”
He was born on May 13 at Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, London, weighing a healthy 8lb 2oz. The midwives took Henry to one side and dad Peter, 39, an Emirates facilities and seating supervisor, went over to see him first.
He picked little Henry up and brought him over to Rosie and placed him in her arms. Cosie Said: “As he passed me my little boy I fell in love.” When Rosie took the tot home to meet his sister, Alice, 13, and brother, Michael, seven, they didn’t bat an eyelid at his differences. Rosie said: “When Henry’s brother first saw him he said ‘eugh’ – but that wasn’t because of his limbs – it was because of his umbilical cord.
