Oti Mabuse says her daughter is her ‘greatest joy’ as she marks one year since bringing her home from the hospital after premature birth

Oti Mabuse marked her one-year anniversary on Monday as she brought her daughter home from hospital, sharing a heartfelt post recalling her premature birth.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, and her husband Marius Lepure, 41, became parents in November 2023 after their newborn was born prematurely with an infection and spent six weeks in intensive care.

Oti shared several photos of her adorable daughter and their extended family, saying the toddler is now their “greatest joy.”

She wrote, “One year ago today we brought our baby girl home from the hospital and it still feels like a dream.

‘After weeks of incredible care from the UCLH midwives (thank you, that’s not even mentioned) she was finally ready: breathing on her own, eating on her own and at the right weight.

“I remember that first car ride home, holding my breath the whole way, overwhelmed with gratitude and disbelief. The world suddenly felt brighter: Christmas lights twinkled, our family waited to welcome her, and the darkest days were behind us.

Oti, 34, and her husband Marius Lepure, 41, became parents in November 2023 after their newborn was born prematurely with an infection and spent six weeks in intensive care

Oti shared several photos of her adorable daughter and their extended family, saying the toddler is now their ‘greatest joy’

“From that day, December 23, until forever, she has been our greatest joy. Today she is sassy, ​​hilarious, full of energy and fills our home with laughter and love.

“This journey has taught us so much about strength, hope and family. We are so lucky to have her, and we will never stop being grateful for this miracle.”

Oti’s older sister and Strictly Come Dancing judge Moti Mabuse commented on the post: ‘Our angel, she brings so much joy to the family!!! Time flies we love your sunshine’.

It Takes Two presenter Fleur East wrote: ‘Beautiful – you are all so blessed’, while former Strictly winner Stacey Dooley responded with a simple ”.

Oti was pre-diabetic and diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks, before also suffering complications after birth when she contracted sepsis.

She previously said on Loose Women: ‘When I got pregnant I got gestational diabetes and we have diabetes in the family, but I didn’t really know what happens after you give birth.

‘Will it go away? Do you have to keep working? Years ago I saw pictures of models who were going to have a baby and within three weeks they were back on the catwalk.

“I’m in the bathroom, I’m crying, I probably haven’t washed in three days. How am I going to snap back?’

In one fell swoop, Oti had her eyes closed as her daughter rested on her chest

In another festive display, Oti cradled her daughter while dressed in a Christmas onesie

Oti also shared a photo of her sister Moti Mabuse and her husband Evgenij Voznyuk with Oti’s daughter

Oti shared several photos of her adorable daughter and their extended family, saying the toddler is now their ‘greatest joy’

She wrote: “One year ago today we brought our baby girl home from the hospital and it still feels like a dream.”

Stacey Dooley, Fleur East and Motsi all sent their well wishes to Oti

‘It’s so hard and my sister and I talk about it all the time. It’s really about being healthy.’

She revealed: ‘My reason for getting back into fitness was because I found out I was actually pre-diabetic.’

Shocked, Loose Women panellist Charlene White joked: ‘Really?’ to which Oti replied: ‘Yes, I’m still pre-diabetic and it’s about getting back to a point where I feel strong, I can manage my food, my sugar levels are good.’

Oti gave birth naturally and said she was “singing Chicago all the time” as the problems arose afterward.

Oti gave birth naturally and said she was ‘singing Chicago all the time’ as the problems arose afterwards

She explained: ‘Once I gave birth to her it became more traumatic, I had sepsis and I didn’t know it. I had all these things, I had diabetes, I had pelvic pain, so turning, getting up and walking was very painful.

‘Then I found out I had sepsis. It was one thing over the other. We spent 10 minutes together and she was taken away with my husband and the doctors.

‘She was in the incubator and that was the first time we actually saw her. She was covered up and had all these machines and wires and everything covering her face…

“This premature world only comes to light when you go through it… It was a very, very scary time.”