World’s Most Premature Baby Overcomes 0% Chance Of Survival To Celebrate 1st Birthday
A new Guinness World Record for the earliest baby ever born was set on June 5, 2020. Born 131 days and five months before his due date, the baby weighed just 11.9 ounces. Doctors gave him a 0% chance of survival. But like all record holders, he` shocked the world by surviving.
World’s Most Premature Baby Celebrates His First Birthday
He celebrated his first birthday this month. The earlier a baby is born, the greater the risk is.
According to CNN, Richard Hutchinson became the earliest baby ever born last June. Even more shockingly, he survived to celebrate his first birthday. Five months before he was born, Richard’s mother Beth had a medical complication that led to her giving birth prematurely.
Born tiny, doctors at the Children’s Minnesota Hospital knew his chances of survival were slim. The neonatological team gave him a 0% chance of survival. “I knew that the first few weeks of Richard’s life were going to be difficult, but I felt like he would be a survivor if he got through that,” Beth said.
A Long Six Months
For the next six months, little Richard lived at the NICU in Minnesota. Due to COVID restrictions, his parents were not allowed to stay overnight and no one was allowed to visit him. They had to drive each day from their house in Saint Croix County, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to see their son at the NICU. They hope that if he had their constant support and presence, he would have a chance of making it.
“We make sure we support him”, Rick said of Guinness World Records. “And I think that helps him because he knows he can rely on us”.
Dr. Kern agreed and granted Richard’s survival to his dedicated parents who were there every day for their son. No matter of the length of the ride, they showed support and love for him.
Never Give Up
It has been a difficult six months for the Hutchinson family, particularly in the first few months when they knew that the chances were slim to none. But Rick and Beth fought day in, day out for Richard and never stopped fighting for him. Her strength and ability to remain positive and hopeful during this stressful and difficult time has been inspiring.
Beth’s advice to parents of premature babies is to ask questions and to make sure that they are involved in the decision-making process. Mum and dad also made sure their sons were actively looking after them. Be as curious about your child as it is, because they deserve to know what is going on. Stand up for them as best you can.
A Lesson In Resilience
When doctors gave the go-ahead, Richard went home in early December 2020. It was an emotional day for everyone involved. The nurses and doctors who looked after Richard for the past six months, watched him go from survivor to active boy. When he went home, his parents were there for him.
“I can’t believe this is the same little boy who was so ill and feared he wouldn’t survive. The same boy I saw in hospital who I thought was going to die before he was even born. I can’t help but crush him and tell him how proud I am of him”, the mother said. He has taught me what it means to be resilient and every time I look at him I’m reminded of how powerful and amazing this little beautiful baby is. He needs certain equipment every day and regular hospital examinations.
He is weaning them off slowly. He is growing into a dynamic, happy baby. His parents couldn’t be prouder, of course, and are grateful to the staff who looked after Richard and pulled their son back from the brink. They love what they have done and wish they could share it with them all the time.
“He’s the happiest baby I’ve ever seen. He has bright blue eyes and a smile that keeps on growing. It’s the loveliest little face ever. He is described as a prodigy because of his actions. I agree with everyone”, the mother said.