A NEWPORT mum-to-be who suffered nine miscarriages has encouraging news about her latest pregnancy.

Last month we brought you the heartbreaking story of Anne-Marie Brum, who had lost nine babies and was pregnant for the tenth time.

A thief had stolen scan pictures of her unborn child when she was taken ill, and she made a desperate plea for the precious photographs to be returned.

Sadly, the scans are still missing, although Ms Brum remains hopeful that someone may find them.

She is now 29 weeks pregnant - the furthest she has ever progressed in any of her pregnancies - and, despite several health scares, was hopeful about the safe delivery of her daughter.

"They have told me she has a 93 per cent chance and she is a really good weight," said Ms Brum, who lives in Chepstow Road.

She has had several spells in hospital because she has suffered bleeding, and had just returned from one such stay when the scans, which were taken at regular stages during her pregancy, were stolen.

Ms Brum was outside her home when she felt dizzy and unwell, and sought immediate help from a nearby doctors' surgery.

She had left her bag in a stairwell, but by the time someone went to pick it up, it had vanished - with the scans inside.

The devastated 27-year-old appealed for the return of the pictures, saying their loss had "ripped her heart out".

Ms Brum suffered her first miscarriage when she was just 16, and then suffered the trauma of losing another eight babies. The stress and pain led to the break-up of her relationship earlier this year, just before she discovered she was pregnant again.

Investigations into the miscarriages, which occurred at various stages, had failed to reveal any cause and she gave up work as a receptionist so she could get plenty of rest this time.

She said medical staff were planning to let the pregnancy progress as far as possible, but it was not expected to go full-term.

* Anyone with information about the missing scan photos, which were taken on May 5, is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.