FOUR-month-old Sammy Price is lucky to be alive.

He was born on November 15 in Nevill Hall Hospital with a serious circulation problem.

Now his father, Tony Price, of Pen-y-Pound Lane, Abergavenny, says an emergency transfer to the Royal Gwent Hospital's specialist baby unit is the only reason his son is here today.

The 35-year-old teacher at Chepstow comprehensive school said: "There were times when I thought he wouldn't make it."

Mr Price and his wife, Zoe, 36, also have a five-year-old son Oscar.

Neither birth went smoothly. Mr Price said: "Our first boy was born prematurely at 31 weeks and Zoe was really poorly because she suffers from pre-eclampsia (a condition where blood pressure rises dangerously because the placenta is not getting enough blood).

"Sammy was born later at 35 weeks, but there were far more complications, even though he was a good size."

Sammy had a condition called persistent foetal circulation. It meant his body did not wake up properly after he was born. Only half his heart was working and his lungs were still flat.

Mr Price said: "The first hour of his life was a real struggle and doctors had to use a lot of pressure to get his lungs working. It was a terrible time."

The medical team at Nevill Hall decided he needed specialist equipment only available at Newport's specialist baby unit in the Royal Gwent Hospital.

He had to be taken to Newport in a travel incubator with two nurses. Mr Price said: "We nearly lost him on the journey."

When he arrived, Sammy was put on a special oscillator to help him breathe.

Sammy spent two weeks in hospital.

Now both Oscar and Sammy are now in the best of health.

Mr Price said: "There were moments I thought I wouldn't have either boy. But the doctors at the Royal Gwent were fabulous. Their equipment and treatment saved Sammy's life."

* The family's story is featured in Every Penny Counts, a fundraising supplement for the special care baby unit, published with the Argus this Wednesday.