Here’s to Amillia, Jack and Millie
By Shannon Rees

I think that one of my life’s greatest moments was feeling my baby move and kick in my womb for the first time. The sensation of a child growing in you is one that far surpasses anything I have ever experienced in my 28 years. I honestly believe that your life is forever changed once you’ve been pregnant.  I know that for my husband and I, such a small unborn life has already gotten us gravitating our very busy professional lives around a daughter, her upcoming needs, and our soon-to-be family. Being 24 weeks pregnant is an honor for us. I also have the privilege of working in the pediatric sector—the combination of my own pregnancy and my work around children surely contributes to my particular interest and passion for babies and children. However, who wouldn’t be attentive to this population at this time after the world’s latest miracles in the area of viability of newborns?
           
Three newborns under 25 weeks gestation saw the world for the first time, and survived. It all started with Amillia Sonja Taylor, a 21-week old, born in Miami on Oct.24, 2006, weighing just 280 grams and measuring “24 cm slightly longer than a ballpoint pen”. She was “breathing without assistance at birth and even made several attempts to cry”. This is highly unusual considering that most babies at this stage require assistance with breathing since their lungs are not fully developed.
           
According to the University of Iowa, which keeps a record of the world’s tiniest babies, “no baby born at less than 23 weeks was previously known to have survived”. In fact, her mother “pretended she was 23, not 21 weeks, pregnant in a desperate attempt to ensure that the delivery team would do everything possible to save her child.” What a story – everyone in the pediatric field, and everyone reading about this story, could hardly believe we were going to be fortunate enough to count this child as part of our world, to live out her little life.
           
This story has not occurred in isolation. Little Jack Scharf was born in Ottawa on Oct.19, 2006, at 24 weeks, weighing 759 grams. Four months later, following numerous medical interventions including multiple surgeries to his heart, lungs, eyes, and bowels, Jack was able to join his mom and dad at home the weekend of Feb.25, 2007. Then we heard of Millie McDonagh, born in the UK after 22 weeks weighing only 570 grams – almost four months premature. She, also defying the odds, is taking her place among us. Millie was given a one in 100 chance of surviving; she “stopped breathing several times and suffered from several serious infections, but battled back to health”. As noted, Millie is requiring oxygen to breathe, however “doctors say there are no signs that she will suffer lasting problems”.
           
These medical miracles shed a new light on our views about the point of viability for premature babies and have unleashed a debate in the UK about the upper age limit for abortion, which is now set at 24 weeks. Even those in favour of abortion are asking if the 24-week limit in the UK should be lowered to 20 weeks. UK Professor Stuart Campbell, obstetrician for 40 years and former head of obstetrics and gynaecology at King’s College School of Medicine, documents that, “Even at 12 weeks these fetuses indicate very complex behaviour. They yawn, they hold their toes. At 20 weeks one can see facial expressions, and at 22 to 23 weeks, their eyelids begin to open. You can actually see the foetus developing into a human being.” He goes on to say that unborn babies “are themselves their own best advocates. Once, only the supporters of a woman’s right to choose really had a voice. Now the foetus itself can speak through these pictures.  They are saying: ‘I am here. See, this is what I can do.’ Which of us should ignore that?” Ultrasound and modern medical technology is moving us to adjust how we view the child in the womb. 
           
We are faced with medical challenges everyday; the anticipated flu pandemic, the recent C-difficile outbreak, treating cancer rate increases… However, these three little lives are success stories today, every one of them. We have to rejoice. They did it. They were born under “emergency circumstances” with little odds of surviving, and thanks to our latest medical advances and support will live among us. This is an immeasurable breakthrough. So I want to say congratulations to Millie, Jack and Amillia, you’ve prepared us for the many more babies who may be born earlier than expected, and we now know, thanks to your success stories, that these babies have definite newfound odds of surviving -odds that are worth fighting for – odds that will allow us to welcome fresh minds, abilities and talents to our world.

Shannon Rees did her studies in Occupational Therapy at the University of Ottawa. She has been working in the rehabilitation field as a Health Professional for five years and looks forward to the birth of her first child in June.