A baby girl who was born four months early and weighing less than 1lb is finally going home after spending nine months in the hospital.
Baby Evangeline ‘Evie’ Statler has managed to defy the odds as she has finally been discharged from St. Louis Children’s Hospital just in time for Christmas.
Her miraculous journey started in March when she was born prematurely, weighing only 14oz.
Evie’s mom, Maddie, shared how she was left terrified when her baby was born prematurely.
“It was definitely scary. We didn’t know if we both would make it or not and didn’t know what would really happen. She was so tiny, like a little baby bird,” she expressed.
Her daughter’s premature birth came with several health problems, including pulmonary hypertension.
The parents were told that their baby had a 50 to 60 percent of survival.
In an interview with KSDK, Evie’s father, Dylan, said of the experience: “It all happened so fast.”
In July, Maddie was transferred to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
Dylan and Maddie then juggled the responsibilities of caring for their son at home while visiting their newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Fortunately, Evie’s health improved and her progress has been described as ‘almost a complete 180.’ On December 18, she was finally discharged from the hospital.
“It feels like we can breathe again,” Maddie said. “A lot of days it felt like we were holding our breath underwater and couldn’t come up for air.”
Dr. Melissa Riley, a neonatologist who cared for Evie, also praised the family’s unwavering determination and the effort of the medical team.
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