February 17, 2021

"Miracle Baby" Survives Risky C-Section Procedure at 25 Weeks

photo from family's GoFundMe page
Nicole Truhill gave birth via C-section at Tucson Medical Center (TMC) in Tucson, Arizona after complications put both her and her baby's lives at risk. Born after only 25 weeks gestation, doctors said that her baby, Henry Augustus Truhill, only had a 50% chance at survival. To everyone's relief, Henry survived the process and is now even breathing on his own.

Nicole was diagnosed with placental abruption according to Tucson Local Media. This condition deprives the unborn child of oxygen and can cause the mother to hemorrhage. The family also said that Nicole had pre-eclampsia, a complication that results in extremely high blood pressure and can require an emergency C-section.

“When baby Henry was born, there was a tense stillness in the room until a tiny cry was let out, which provided Mom, Dad and hospital staff a small sense of relief,” TMC officials wrote in a press release.

“I have never seen something so beautiful, small and fragile in my whole life,” Kyle said. “I felt overwhelmed with emotion in that moment…gratitude, a sense of miracle, relief and sheer terror all at the same time. I’ve never cried so much in my whole life as I have this week. We just want our baby to live.”

Doctors say that Henry may have to stay at TMC until the beginning of June, but are hopeful that he will make a full recovery.

The family says that Henry has gained seven ounces since his birth on Feb. 1.

If he had been born just two weeks earlier, some hospitals in the US would not have provided any care to help Henry survive. In 2020, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the HHS to investigate instances in which hospitals denied care to preemies simply due to their gestational age. Preemies as young as 21 weeks have survived if given proper medical care. Without enforcement by the executive branch, more hospitals may be able to deny care- and the right to life- to preemies under the Biden administration.