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'Miracle' baby born at 22 weeks goes home

Susie RackWest Midlands
News imageUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust A mother smiles in a hospital ward as she cradles a small baby wearing a yellow knitted cardigan. He has a feeding tube in his nose and his eyes are shut. The mother is wearing a sleeveless black top and has long black hair.University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Isaac's mum Vimbay said the past few months since his birth in February had been "an emotional rollercoaster"

A "miracle" baby, born at 22 weeks and three days, has been allowed to go home with his parents.

Isaac weighed 1.2lbs (555g), the equivalent of two blocks of butter, when he was born in February at University Hospital in Coventry.

About seven in 10 babies born at 22 weeks do not survive, the hospital said, but Isaac spent his first months being cared for by specialist neonatal teams and now, at almost 6lbs (2.7kg), his parents have been allowed to take him home. He has become the youngest-born child to survive at the hospital.

Mum Vimbay wiped back tears as she rang a bell signalling the end of her son's hospital stay and dad Tatenda said it was a miracle that Isaac was still there with them.

"[I] didn't really think this day would come," he said.

The family had celebrated every gram the infant gained, Vimbay said.

"There have been moments of fear and moments of exhaustion, but there have also been moments of hope, and my faith has carried me through this."

Both parents paid tribute to the hospital's "amazing" nursing team and neonatal staff.

"Isaac wouldn't have got to where he is now without them," Vimbay said.

"When he was in intensive care, that was the hardest time, and the nurses there have such a big job caring for the tiniest children."

She added, while at first all she had wanted was to take her baby home, after a while "the thought of going home was scarier than staying in hospital".

"I'm receiving a lot of support from the neonatal community outreach team and that is really reassuring."

News imageUniversity Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust A woman and a man stand by a small bell on a hospital ward, both with one hand touching it. A baby pram is in front of them with an infant's hands just seen. The woman is in a denim sleeveless dress with buttons down it and has black hair tied back. The man is wearing a white t-shirt and has sunglasses on his head. Posters can be seen on the wall behind them or two children holding pictures of themselves as small babies.University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust
Dad Tatenda described Isaac's survival as "a miracle"

Tatenda predicted his youngest child, who has two siblings, would soon be coming back and "running around" the wards.

Chief nursing officer Tracey Brigstock said it was wonderful to know Isaac was now home and wished his family every happiness for the future.

"Isaac's journey is a powerful example of the strength shown by babies, families and staff every day in our neonatal services," she added.

"We are incredibly proud of the care, compassion and expertise shown by our teams."

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