A baby born weighing barely a pound at just 22 weeks gestation has finally been sent home after months in hospital, making him the most premature baby to survive at the hospital where he was born.
The “miracle” baby, Isaac, was born at just 22 weeks and three days at University Hospital in Coventry in February. Doctors said his chances of survival were not good, but after being cared for by his specialist and dedicated team, the little fighter is almost five times his birth weight and is going home.
His mother, Vimbay, rang a bell signalling the end of her son’s hospital stay as she wiped away tears, and dad Tatenda said it was a miracle that baby Isaac was still with them.
“[I] didn’t really think this day would come,” he said.
They had celebrated every gram of weight baby Isaac put on, Vimbay said. “There have been moments of fear and moments of exhaustion, but there have also been moments of hope, and my faith has carried me through this”.
“Isaac wouldn’t have got to where he is now without [the nurses and hospital staff]”, Vimbay said, describing them as “amazing”.
“When he was in intensive care, that was the hardest time, and the nurses there have such a big job caring for the tiniest children”.
While she initially wanted to take care of her son at some, “the thought of going home was scarier than staying in hospital” she said.
“I’m receiving a lot of support from the neonatal community outreach team and that is really reassuring”.
Baby Isaac’s father, Tatenda, said his son’s survival was “a miracle”.
Tracey Brigstock, Chief nursing officer, said it was wonderful that Isaac was now home and wished his family every happiness for the future.
“Isaac’s journey is a powerful example of the strength shown by babies, families and staff every day in our neonatal services”, she said.
“We are incredibly proud of the care, compassion and expertise shown by our teams”.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Baby Isaac was born weighing barely a pound. Incredibly, he weighed almost 5 times as much when he left the hospital just a few months later. Babies like Isaac, born just a bit too early, are a constant reminder of the beauty of life both inside and outside the womb”.
