Bethanie Millar didn't believe in miracles - until baby Evelie was born.
The UK mum was rushed to hospital on November 20 last year when her waters broke and they were an alarming green colour.
It was decided she would need an emergency caesarean after doctors were unable to find baby Evelie's heartbeat.
"I was awake when doctors told me they couldn't detect a heartbeat, I was so scared," Ms Millar told The Mirror.
"I then went straight into an emergency C-section, it all happened so fast.
"When I came round, my mum and sister were by my bed crying.
"I knew something bad had happened, but I was so out of it I thought I was still pregnant."
According to The Mirror, doctors spent eight desperate minutes trying to resuscitate Evelie. Just when they had given up hope the little girl's heart started beating on its own.
"When they said her heart starting beating on its own I couldn't believe it," Ms Millar said.
"I thought that was it, that everything would be fine, but it was far from over."
Baby Evelie, who weighed 3.67kg at birth, spent almost three months in hospital. Doctors feared her difficult start to life might leave her in a vegetative state.
Her grandmother Nikki Millar said the family was devastated, but knew they had to be strong for Evelie.
"I know (the doctors) were just doing their job, but they told us Evelie wouldn't be able to move, or feed or have any quality of life.
"We're a positive family, but they took all our hope away from us. There wasn't even a glimmer left.
"We came home that night and couldn't stop crying."
But despite those predictions, Evelie has so far defied the odds, and is enjoying life at home with her parents and two-year-old sister Mila-Beau.
The family from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England, will not know the extent of any brain damage baby Evelie may have sustained until she reaches the age of two, but for now the nine month old is doing well.
"They did an MRI scan, and she just started to improve," Ms Millar said.
"It's like she's defied everything. I was never really a believer until Evelie.
"She really is amazing. I still look at her now and just cry."