World’s Smallest Surviving Baby Born at 23 Weeks Leaves Hospital after 5 Months

Saybie, the smallest surviving baby in the world, left the hospital five months after she was born as she was too frail to face the outside world.

The girl was born at 23 weeks and three days in December 2018. Since she didn’t spend enough time in her mother’s womb, she couldn’t grow big enough and came into the world weighing in at just 8.6 ounces, as heavy as a large apple.

“Doctors said the preterm birth was necessary," revealed hospital officials.

PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS

Officials at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego, California, where the baby was born, explained that Saybie’s mother experienced many pregnancy complications and had to give birth via emergency cesarean.

The mother, who chose to remain anonymous, had pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication meaning that she had high blood pressure. The lady was sure her daughter wouldn’t survive as she was only 23 weeks pregnant.

“Doctors said the preterm birth was necessary after they found that the baby was not gaining weight and her mother's life was at immediate risk,” added the hospital.

Soon after her birth, the Tiniest Babies Registry pointed out that she was the world’s smallest surviving newborn. The previous smallest baby was born in Germany in 2015 and weighed seven grams more than Saybie.

HER TIME AT THE NICU

The baby was immediately taken into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as doctors feared that she could experience health complications because premature babies often have a higher risk to get breathing problems or infections.

Even though the girl was “very sick” during her first week of life, she surprised doctors and the world by experiencing almost none of the expected issues (brain, heart, and respiratory problems).

Thankfully, doctors took excellent care of Saybie at the hospital for five months and, by the time the girl was sent home, she weighed 5.6 pounds. The video showing her development portray sensitive footage.

While different sources claimed that she was released on May 29, CNN pointed out that she was actually sent home before. Doctors will be checking on her at least every six months for many years to see if she develops any visual, hearing, or developmental problems.

SHE WAS VERY LUCKY

Some people have labeled Saybie’s case a “miracle” as many children die when they are born prematurely. Unfortunately, “Love & Hip Hop: New York” star Rah Ali knows it firsthand.

The reality star was only five months along in the pregnancy, but her water broke on May 26.

Rah was taken to the hospital where she gave birth to her daughter, who sadly only lived for a few minutes as doctors were unable to save her.

One of the aspects that shocked the reality star the most was that there had been no indication of trouble or complications with her pregnancy.