A premature baby, born at 22 weeks and 5 days, has just celebrated his birthday as a healthy nine-year-old. When Benson Artman was born in 2017, he weighed just 1 lb 2 oz, less than a loaf of bread – now he’s all grown up.
Back in 2017, his mother, Megan, suffered from a subchorionic haemorrhage, where there is bleeding or a build-up of blood between the wall of the uterus and the sac or membranes that protect the unborn child. She subsequently delivered Benson at just 22 weeks. He was considered a micro-premmie as he weighed less than 28 ounces/800 grams and was born before 26 weeks.
Megan recounts that the medical professionals did not expect him to survive for more than an hour after birth. However, the little fighter was breathing consistently with a decent heartbeat five hours after birth. Baby Benson was transferred to Hemby Children’s Hospital for treatment and responded well to the efforts of the doctors.
Not longer after he was born, his mother started a Facebook page documenting Benson’s development. 17 days after his birth, baby Benson opened his eyes for the first time. At three weeks old, he was held by his mum for the first time and enjoyed 40 minutes of skin-to-skin contact.
Speaking about the first time she held her son, Megan said, “He tolerated it well and was fairly stable during that time. We are looking forward to having more skin to skin as much as possible”. Afterwards, Benson was very happy and his stats looked better than before she held him.
Benson’s father got to hold him for the first time, 50 days after his birth. Megan shared at the time, “Today was a big day. Benson is 7 weeks old today, and Daddy got to hold him for the very first time!”
“They were both very happy. It’s been a long time coming and it was super sweet to witness”, Megan said.
Benson continued to grow, weighing 4 lb 5.5 oz three months after his birth and reaching the 5 lb mark 100 days after his birth.
Baby Benson finally got to leave the hospital after 174 days
Almost 6 months days after his birth, Benson got to go home, where he surprised his three sisters with his arrival. His sisters knew that he was coming home but were not aware of the exact day.
His mother, Megan, was ecstatic at his progress, saying, “We are very pleased to announce that our little tough guy graduated the NICU on Thursday!”
“He made honors and was top of his class. After a 174 day stay and equally as many nights without his mother, the day finally came. And our hearts are so full… we loaded up our boy, walked through that hall and out those doors. And we took our son [home]!”
Benson is celebrating his ninth birthday today
Not so much a baby anymore, Benson is celebrating his ninth birthday today and is in third grade at school.
His mother said earlier this year that Benson is “doing very well”, adding that he is “[s]mart, strong, happy and healthy. Full of life, joy and the sweetest kindnesses.”
Benson is now thriving and living a healthy, normal life, where he enjoys activities like baking.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “Doctors thought he would only live for hours, yet amazingly, he still with us nine years later!”.
“Benson’s story shows us that even the most fragile and premature babies can survive”.
