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BABY joy ... for Steve and Lisa Bentley pictured on their wedding day two years ago
Beach baby early for Christmas
Beatriz Ayala20/12/2006
CHRISTMAS came early for Steve and Lisa Bentley when their baby son was born 10 weeks prematurely during a holiday in Goa.
Just two days into their beach break, Mrs Bentley, from Castleton, unexpectedly went into labour.
An emergency doctor was on hand to rush her to hospital in the capital Panaji and within an hour baby Luka Lennon was born weighing just three-and-a-half pounds.
The tiny tot was immediately rushed to the hospital's special care baby unit, where he spent his first week in a ventilator.
Twenty days after his surprise arrival, Luka is doing well, but must remain in Goa until he's strong enough to travel on a medically-assisted flight.
The Bentleys are hoping the all-clear comes quickly so they can finally bring their baby home and spend a real Christmas with family and friends.
Mrs Bentley, aged 33, said: "We'd been given the all clear by doctors to go on this last break before the baby was born so decided on Goa.
"I was shocked when I was told I was in labour and just an hour after getting to the hospital Luka was born.
"It was a complete shock, but even though he was tiny he still looks so much like Steve."
The agonising wait to bring their son home is made worse by only being allowed to spend an hour every day on the special care ward.
But the Bentleys are already getting their newborn his very first passport and both sets of proud grandparents have travelled to Goa to see Luka and to offer support.
Mrs Bentley said: "We couldn't touch him for the first week in intensive care and it was hard not being able to comfort him when he was crying, but it is wonderful spending time with him.
"We're not really celebrating Christmas this year, it doesn't feel like it here with the heat, but we're hoping to get back as soon as possible."
Luka's unexpected arrival is not the first time Mr and Mrs Bentley, who now live in Bolton, have been involved in a holiday emergency.
Two years ago, the couple married in Sri Lanka days before the devastating boxing day tsunami destroyed their hotel.
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20/12/2006 at 17:35