Mother's tumour was bigger than her baby

A tumour removed from a pregnant woman was bigger than the baby she gave birth to.

Lindsay Arnold looked as if she was ready to give birth when she was only two months into the pregnancy - and it was discovered she had a large tumour on her spine.

Ms Arnold, 27, refused surgery for fear of damaging her unborn child, but at 24 weeks doctors said they must operate or mother and baby could die.

The four-hour operation to remove the tumour, which turned out not to be cancerous, took place in March last year at University Hospital, Lewisham.

Fifteen weeks later baby Lewis was born naturally, weighing 6lb 7oz - only two thirds the size of the 9lb tumour.

Now nine months old and healthy, Lewis is at home with his mother and father, Andrew Everett, a fireman, in Forest Hill.

Ms Arnold said: "It was so wonderful to hold Lewis in my arms although it was frightening to think that the tumour was bigger than my baby."