Medics insulate micro preemie with sandwich bag
As I’ve often said, such reports as the following are usually only found in UK newspapers. US mainstream media is too afraid pro-lifers like me will latch on to miracle preemie survival stories like this to reiterate the humanity of the preborn. From The Telegraph, September 28…
Lexi Lacey [pictured above] was born 14 weeks early weighing just 14 ounces and her parents were told she had a 10% chance of survival.
Medics had to use the smallest insulating jacket they could find – a 15cm plastic sandwich bag from the kitchens at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Lexi is now 11-week-olds old and weighs 5lbs 6oz.
Her mother Chelsea Rowberry, 17, said: “The doctors told us they had never known a baby born as prematurely as Lexi survive.
“She was so tiny the only thing they had to keep her body temperature warm was a sandwich bag from the hospital canteen – it’s incredible to think that saved her life….
Miss Rowberry and her partner Lee Lacey, 24, feared she was having a miscarriage when she suffered agonising stomach pains when she was 26 weeks pregnant on the evening of June 26.
She rang the maternity suite at Worcestershire Royal Hospital… but was told it was nothing to worry about and to go back to sleep….
”Then a few hours later I had really bad cramps and mum rang an ambulance.”…
Worcestershire Royal Hospital only has the facilities to care for premature babies born from 28 weeks onwards and doctors wanted to transfer her to a specialist unit at Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital but there wasn’t time….
Lexi was finally allowed home on September 3.
Lexi weighed a .5 ounces less than a can of green beans when born. Congrats to her family. Lexi is truly a miracle survivor, since the hospital that initially cared for her was not equipped to handle micro preemies.
Often such hospitals will not even attempt to save these babies. I wonder if because Lexi was delivered by ambulance personnel who did all they could to save her that the hospital felt forced to continue care. Every so often I receive heartbreaking letters from parents who had to helplessly watch their baby or babies die because the hospital wouldn’t do anything, claiming inadequate medical equipment and/or untrained staff. Fortunately, the medics knew no better.
[HT: moderator Chris]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I’m having a hard time not crying as I read this and see her little picture because my third baby was born at 27 weeks (13 weeks early. And he’s doing great! He’s almost 13 months old and so far has zero issues from being so premature). This story just stirs so much emotion within me. I can’t imagine medical staff not even trying to save a baby born this early when it’s very possible. My son was born at a hospital that could care for micro preemies and they told me his chances were pretty good… I know medical equipment and know-how make such a difference, but to not even try? (I know it’s a week more than Lexi, but babies even younger than mine or Lexi can survive these days). Praise God that Lexi survived!
Wow. Amazing story! Sounds like Lexie’s mother loved her even before she was out of the womb. She’s a young mother, but it sounds like she’s going to have some support and help, which is good.
Oh my. Fight on, Lexi!!!
Brings back memories to read this story and see the photo! My beautiful 20-year-old daughter was born in 1990 at 25 weeks’ gestation and weighed 1 lb. 12 oz. She is a miracle from heaven and a thriving college student now. Never give up hope in the work of our loving, mighty Lord!
What a precious sweet baby girl! Grow strong little Lexi!
I am glad that she survived too, but I wonder if she will have any physical problems because her organs were not fully developed?
Wow, God has an amazing plan for little Lexi’s life. Thank God for the wisdom he gave this team of Dr.’s.
We are blessed to have little Lexi with us. Praise God!
My son was born at 24 weeks and 1 day. He weighed 1lb 8.5oz and is now 10 years old! God takes care of these little babies! I can’t believe that doctor had never seen a baby that preemie live?!?!?
Am crying. I had a friend who was born nearly 60 years ago, now passed on. She was one of 3 babies, but the smallest at about 2 pounds. They didn’t expect her to live, same with a pastors wife about the same size around the same age as my friend. My friend had 6 children, and the pastor and his wife had 5.
My step nephew has 5 children, he was a premie. Maybe that is why they don’t want these premies to live. Premies have more children. Sickening. I would do whatever I could to help such a helpless tiny person. I can’t understand not wanting to do all you could to save a tiny baby like Lexi. Live Lexi Live!