A baby born at just 24 weeks is now home, with her parents giving thanks for her survival.
Ariana Sophia Cruz-Gutierrez was born weighing only twelve ounces on 9 March this year, in Maryland, USA.
In Great Britain, it is currently legal to abort children up to 24 weeks, or up to birth if it is believed that the baby will be born with a disability.
Not breathing
Her parents revealed that during the first few weeks, hospital staff were not sure Ariana would survive.
Initially she was not breathing, but medics rushed to resuscitate her. She recovered and went through several blood transfusions at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
After spending five months at the hospital, she has now been allowed to go home. Ariana is the smallest baby at birth to survive from the NICU.
‘Incredible work’
Dr Suzanne Rindfleisch, the Unit’s Director, said: “It was a long and difficult course for her, but she has a bright future ahead.”
She praised her parents for being “by her side all these months”.
“The family involvement was crucial. The attention they gave her and how they fought for her.”
Her parents thanked the hospital staff for their “incredible work” in assisting Ariana and said “everything has turned out well”.
‘Living proof’
Last November, a mum called for a change to the UK abortion limit after her son Ollie was born under the abortion limit and went on to defy all doctors’ expectations.
Deborah Jackson said: “He’s living proof a baby can survive being born at 23 weeks. Babies are dying unnecessarily and should get the chance to fight.
“It is legal to abort a baby at the same stage as Ollie which distresses me greatly.”