{"id":82593,"date":"2016-07-26T18:31:28","date_gmt":"2016-07-26T22:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"\/news\/?p=82593"},"modified":"2016-09-06T16:59:46","modified_gmt":"2016-09-06T20:59:46","slug":"more-babies-born-premature-are-surviving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/more-babies-born-premature-are-surviving\/","title":{"rendered":"4 babies who prove children born before 24 weeks can survive"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There\u2019s a misconception that babies born before 24 weeks have no chance of survival. This idea is so engrained in our minds that in many cases doctors won\u2019t even help a baby who is born before that point. Even some pro-choicers will argue that abortion is only okay up until that magic moment of viability.<\/p>\n

But premature babies are proving them wrong by surviving and thriving, not only at 25 weeks, but as young as 21 weeks. As science and technology progress, that age could become even younger.<\/p>\n

Amillia Taylor<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Amillia

Amillia Taylor’s tiny feet.<\/p><\/div>\n

Amillia Taylor was born at 21 weeks, 6 days gestation, and doctors helped her to survive. Her mother, Sonja, had lied to doctors, knowing that if they knew the real age of her daughter, they would likely let her die.<\/p>\n

So she told doctors that she was 23 weeks and 6 days, asking them if they would help her daughter even though she was one day shy of the age of viability. Doctors said they would. It wasn\u2019t until later that she admitted how young her daughter really was.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/p>\n

Amillia weighed just 10 ounces and was only 9.5 inches long, just slightly longer than a pen. Her skin was translucent, and she was kept in bubble wrap inside her incubator to keep her body temperature up. Amillia spent 4 months in the neonatal intensive care unit before finally going home.<\/p>\n

Naomi Joy Bakker<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The

The first photo taken of Naomi on the day of her birth.<\/p><\/div>\n

Michael and Angela Bakker were told at about 23 weeks gestation that their baby girl was not going to survive. She had been diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction and the couple was advised to abort.<\/p>\n

\"Naomi

Naomi and her mother. Emily Loftus Photography.<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThere were four hours left until the abortion cut off,\u201d explained Mrs. Bakker, who was 23 weeks and 6 days pregnant. \u201cBut they told us that in cases like ours, they make exceptions. They said, \u2018The law doesn\u2019t even apply to you. That\u2019s how bad your case is.\u2019 She started kicking, and I thought, that\u2019s her little voice. That\u2019s all she can say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Naomi

Naomi holding her father’s finger.<\/p><\/div>\n

Naomi was born at just 25 weeks gestation, but she was the size of a 19-week preborn child. She weighed just 364 grams and her eyes were still fused shut. Doctors promised the Bakkers they would try to help their daughter, however they were convinced that the breathing tube she would need would never fit down her tiny throat. But it did.<\/p>\n

\"Daddy

Naomi’s father comforts her. Emily Loftus Photography.<\/p><\/div>\n

Naomi is now five months old, and while she still uses oxygen and is monitored carefully, she is doing well for a child who wasn\u2019t supposed to live at all outside the womb.<\/p>\n

Ward Miller<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Ward

Ward and his mother.<\/p><\/div>\n

Baby Ward was born 15 weeks early at 25 weeks gestation. He weighed just one pound, 13 ounces, and remained in the hospital for 107 days. Brain scans revealed serious brain bleeding, and his parents and doctors were scared for his life.<\/p>\n

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My firstborn, little Ward Miles came 15 weeks early yesterday. Long way to go, but he is a fighter. Please keep him in your prayers!<\/a><\/p>\n

A photo posted by Benjamin (@3enjamin5cot) on