A baby girl, born at 26 weeks gestation and believed to be one of the tiniest surviving premature baby born in Ireland, makes it home for her first Christmas with her parents.
Little Raina Gilmore surprised her parents when she was delivered via Caesarean section at just 26 weeks in June. Described as a “little miracle” by her parents, Rachel and Marcus Gilmore, Raina weighed just 378g when she was born – barely bigger than a Toblerone. Previously, the smallest surviving premature baby born in Ireland weighed 390g at birth.
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Her parents said that she was only the size of a baby of 20 weeks gestation at her birth and were concerned as she lost precious weight in the first few days. Her dad described the many tests and medical procedures that his little fighter had to endure, from lumbar punctures to battling sepsis. The couple, from Ballyclare, County Antrim, Ireland were told that Raina only had about a 10% chance of survival.
But in November, when Raina started making significant progress, her parents were hopeful that she would make it home for Christmas, defying all expectations. Her mum described the feeling as “surreal”, remarking that “the day felt like it was so out of reach for so long”.
With their little record-breaking girl at home for the festive period, mum, Rachel, said enthusiastically that “having her home is the best Christmas present you could ever ask for”.
Survival rates for premature babies improving
A 2008 study looking at survival rates for a neonatal intensive care unit in London found that neonatal survival rates at 22 and 23 weeks gestation had improved over time. In 1981-85, no babies who were born at these gestational ages survived to discharge. However, by 1986-90, 19% did and this increased to 54% in the period 1996-2000.
In the decade to 2019 alone, the survival rate for extremely premature babies born at 23 weeks doubled, prompting new guidance from the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) that enables doctors to intervene to save premature babies from 22 weeks gestation. The previous clinical guidance, drafted in 2008, set the standard that babies who were born before 23 weeks gestation should not be resuscitated.
Spokesperson for Right to Life UK, Catherine Robinson, said “It’s so heartwarming to hear that little Raina made it home for Christmas to celebrate with her parents. Her survival is such a testament to the amazing advances in technology that mean even the smallest of babies born months early can defy the odds. We wish Raina and her parents a joyful celebration over the festive period and applaud the wonderful work of the medical professionals who helped ensure the Gilmores had the best Christmas present”.
LifeNews Note: Republished with permission from Right to Life UK.
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