Tiny tot Sofia is finally home
A miracle baby born weighing just one pound has finally made it home from Wishaw’s hospital after a four-month fight for survival.
Tiny Sofia Viktoria Birina was born prematurely last October, at just 22 weeks and four days gestation.
She has defied all the odds to survive and thrive, and went home just nine days after her due date. The tot was given only a 10 per cent chance of survival in labour and even less of a chance of surviving beyond that.
But little Sofia upset the odds as she made Wishaw’s hospital her home.
Her proud parents, mum Egija and dad Inars, at one point feared it was a day they might never see, but they never gave up hope.
Egija, originally from Latvia, said: “Everything was fine at the 20-week scan. Then just over a week later, I felt pain so I went into hospital and was told that I was already dilated and had to go into labour.
“After 10 days bed rest our beloved daughter Sofia made an appearance. She arrived in the world with the biggest scream and was crying so much. We didn’t expect she would survive but that’s where our journey started.”
A little fighter, Sofia has already had to contend with a list of health worries, from a heart defect to stage one brain bleeds, to an eye disease, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and numerous infections.
The tiny baby had seven blood transfusions and respiratory distress symptom as her lungs weren’t fully developed. Even now she is home she has a tube attached to give her extra oxygen.
Sofia embarked on a remarkable journey of courage that eventually led to her going home with her the family.
Known as a micro preemie – a baby born before 26 weeks – Sofia arrived into the world on February 1 weighing just 500g, less than 1lb 2oz. At just 26cm she spent her first three months in an incubator with mum and dad at her side.
Egija continued: “Sofia was literally the size of a hand, so fragile and small and her skin was see-through. I had to wait a week to hold her for the first time because she was so fragile. Once I was able to hold her, they couldn’t get her out of my hands.”
Egija and Inars are grateful to the staff from the maternity ward, newborn intensive care unit and special care baby unit at Wishaw and Glasgow Children’s Hospital.
Egija added: “They have saved me and my little miracle.
“They have done so much for us and they will always be our family and forever in our hearts.”
Egija and Inars
It was only during the last few weeks Sofia was strong enough to go into a cot as her weight and strength improved. Then it was finally time to make the journey home to Airdrie, where Egija has been living for the last 12 years.
After “132 of the longest and scariest days” of the couple’s lives, Sofia is now four times her birth weight.
Egija said: “She has the biggest and most beautiful smile on her face and is getting used to her new surroundings.
“To all other mummies going into such an early labour, there is hope. Never give up.”
Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire chief midwife, said: “Baby Sofia is such an inspiration and we are so happy she is now home with her family.
“On behalf of all the staff who have been involved in her care, I would like to wish Sofia and her parents all the best for their future together.”