The little girl known as Saybie was a record breaker from the time she entered the world. Saybie was born prematurely at just past 23 weeks and weighed only 245 grams (8.6 ounces), the size of a medium apple according to The Sun.
Doctors did not think there was much chance for survival but Saybie is believed to be the smallest surviving preemie the world has seen. Her hospital, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns in San Diego, California, told her story.
Once the mother had given birth, the doctors who were present did not think the baby had much chance for survival either. They told the mother and her husband they would likely have only an hour or so with their baby.
The nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit can take credit for the name Saybie. And what they all soon learned is that the baby they nicknamed Saybie was a fighter. The micro-preemie fought and continued to fight and reached milestones on a regular basis that no one thought she would ever reach.
Saybie spent the first five months of her life in the hospital but was finally allowed to go home. She weighed five pounds when she left the neonatal intensive care unit. Her mother says she might be the smallest baby but ‘she is mine.’ The University of Iowa’s Edward Bell is the manager of the Tiniest Baby Register. He confirms to The Sun that Saybie is the smallest baby in the registry, but also said, “We cannot rule out even smaller infants who have not been reported to the Registry.”
The nurses at the hospital where Saybie was born made a video to express their feelings regarding the diminutive preemie. One nurse, Emma West, says she only hopes Saybie one day understands how strong she is. Another nurse asked that we all continue to pray Saybie will grow big, strong, and healthy.
You can watch the nurses’ accounts in the video below:
Were you impressed with the strength and survival instincts shown by Saybie? We’d love to read your comments! Send the video and article to your friends on social media. They will be impressed with Saybie’s strength and fight and this tale of survival is sure to brighten their day!
