A premature baby who was born approximately one month early has become an unexpected present just days before Christmas.
Baby Dorothea, known affectionately to her parents as Dot, was born prematurely due to her mother being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a condition that can cause serious complications during pregnancy.
While the baby was due in January, Dorothea’s mum, Mariia, knew there was something wrong when she first experienced high blood pressure.
“I kept thinking that it’s going to go away. I didn’t really pay much attention”, she said. “I felt pretty bad for a couple of weeks before that. My face was super swelled”.
Dr Rick Stafford, chief of neonatology at Northern Westchester Hospital, where Dorothea was born, said pre-eclampsia is a very serious condition.
“It can progress to seizures and even brain injuries”, he said.
Mariia was rushed to the hospital after her diagnosis, where labour was induced. She ended up spending a total of 30 hours in labour before baby Dorothea was born.
“Her respiratory condition was a little out of the ordinary, but we were able to manage everything”, Dr Stafford said of Dorothea.
The tiny, premature baby then spent 16 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at the hospital before she was able to go home, just before Christmas.
This period was tough on the parents, but getting to spend time with baby Dorothea made things better.
“[Mariia] was definitely in better spirits by the time she got to have her first night with Dot”, the baby’s father, Josiah, said.
Now, the family get to enjoy Christmas at home together, something thatwould not have happened had Dorothea been born on her estimated due date.
“This is the best. Fire, some cocoa, classic Christmas movie… you cuddle up on the couch and I got all my girls here”, Josiah said.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “This heartwarming story shows that babies, no matter how young or premature, are a joy. Little Dorothea’s strength after being born prematurely and getting home in time for Christmas is wonderful to hear”.
