PARENTS have paid tribute to their “angel” who lost her fight in the womb on Christmas Day.

On Father’s Day last year, Nathan French and fiancee Jess Finlayson, from Colchester, found out Jess was expecting her second child.

Things started off well, until Jess started to bleed around November - each time the couple rushed to Colchester Hospital.

On December 4 they booked a scan and were delighted to hear they were having a girl who they named Harper Grace.

However, they were told there was an accumulation of blood between the placenta and the wall of the uterus.

At 18 weeks, Jess, 20, had another scan. Nathan, 26, said: “Our little girl’s heartbeat was still going. However, the bleeding was still persisten. Once discharged we returned home.”

Christmas Day arrived and the family spent the morning watching eldest daughter Rylee, two, open her presents.

It was the next scan, on January 3, which changed their world.

Nathan said: “Me and Jess woke to get ready to see our little fighter.

“I asked politely if we could to get some scan photos and was told ‘just hold on a moment’.

“Then a midwife entered for a second opinion. We were told our little soldier, our little girl, our little Harper Grace didn’t make it, there was no heartbeat.

“It appeared she gave up her fight on Christmas Day.”

Jess gave birth to her “beautiful unforgettable little princess”, who weighed just eight ounces, on January 9.

She said: “Sadly her heart had stopped at 19 weeks due to my placenta detaching slowly from me. She wasn’t getting enough oxygen to survive.

“I had a rough pregnancy and an even harder delivery. I went through to theatre to deliver my placenta as it had burst, and had a blood transfusion.

“I just want to thank whoever donated the blood, without that I wouldn’t be here today either.”

She added: “Harper Grace, it kills me to have to say goodbye to you so soon. I will always keep that one night we had with you in my heart forever.”

Both parents added: “We’ll make sure we say goodnight to you every night and we will celebrate your birthday every year too. Mummy and daddy love you lots Harper, rest in peace our baby girl.”

A fundraising page has been set up for Harper Grace’s memorial, Visit www.gofundme.com/ra437s-a-friend-in-need.