A little baby who was resuscitated back in May after being born premature at just 1 pound has defied the odds and will now be going home from the hospital to be with his mother.
Lawrence, who is nicknamed Leni, was supposed to be born on Sept. 7, but his mom, Chastity, 20, went into premature labor on May 9 at just 22 weeks gestation and delivered the baby at her home, KCRA-TV reported.
In reflecting back on the terrifying ordeal, Chastity told the outlet that she had no idea she was in labor and was scared when she saw that Leni looked blue and purple.
MIRACLE BABY: Leni was born at 22wks just weighing 1 pound. @SutterHealth 'micro preemie' preparing to go home 6 lbs, 3oz later @kcranews pic.twitter.com/dM80YfwgX8
— Vicki Gonzalez (@KCRAVicki) September 11, 2017
“I didn’t think he was going to live, and I’m looking at my son like, ‘Oh my God, please live. Don’t die on me,'” she said.
What happened next has some — including his mom — calling Leni a “miracle baby.”
After paramedics arrived at Chastity’s home and revived the mico-premie, the baby embarked on a long journey toward recovery at Sutter Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Sacramento, California.
But the process wasn’t an easy one, and babies like Leni have a 5 percent chance of survival. Somehow, though, the precious, baby boy persevered and fought on for his life.
“He wasn’t supposed to live through the first week he was born. He had an IV in his head. They had to open it and put it in the back of his head. He had so many surgeries,” Chastity said. “He’s definitely my miracle baby. I don’t know what I would have done if he didn’t survive. He’s my first child. I’d rather sit here and fight for him than to bury my own child.”
Prayers for mom and baby as the child continues his recovery.
(H/T: KCRA-TV)