A 17 week old foetus has received groundbreaking medical treatment for a rare blood condition carried by its mother. Ruby Doland - now 12 weeks old - underwent a blood transfusion, which was performed by inserting a needle into her umbilical cord, to stop her developing anaemia and heart failure. Most mothers and babies with the condition receive blood after 20 weeks.

A further four less risky transfusions took place at the foetal care unit at Queen Charlotte's Hospital in London, where a needle was injected into a vessel in the liver. The condition, called Rh immunisation, causes the mother's antibodies to break down the baby's red blood cells, resulting in anaemia and eventually heart failure.

Mrs Doland, 27 was full of praise for the medical team. "It was a very distressing time for us. [but] now that we have a beautiful baby, it is all behind us thanks to the amazing work of the doctors."

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