The One-Pound Miracle
What began as a routine test turned into a tale of survival.
This Spring, Burnaby Hospital’s Dr. David Jones shared a truly amazing story about the emergency delivery of a one-pound baby girl.
What began as discomfort and a visit to the Emergency Department for mother, Priya, led to routine tests that revealed a very critical situation. Tests had revealed that a serious medical condition had stunted the baby’s growth and using fetal heart monitors, doctors saw that the baby’s heartbeat was erratic and dangerously low.
At just 26 weeks of her pregnancy, Priya was immediately rushed into surgery for an emergency caesarean section in an attempt to save the baby. And when the newborn baby finally arrived, she weighed less than one pound.
Newborns delivered at this weight do not usually survive. But amazingly the tiny baby girl was active and breathing. She had a fighter’s spirit, and the staff at Burnaby Hospital fought, too—working hard to give her the best chance to live.
And she did.
She continued to be cared for at Burnaby Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where a neonatal resuscitator helped her breathe and get stronger.
It would be months later before Priya could finally take her new daughter, Bhargavi, home. She was named after the Hindu goddess of strength. Because she fought to live when other babies may not have. And because the staff who cared for her did everything they could to help her. So Bhargavi was truly a suitable name for the one-pound miracle.
“I will always be indebted to the doctors and nurses who helped us get through this,” says Priya. “They saved our daughter, and we will never forget.”
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With the wonderful support of the community, Burnaby Hospital was able to acquire critical equipment like the fetal heart rate monitor and neonatal resuscitation unit that has saved the lives of babies like Bhargavi.
If you could meet with the amazing staff in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, they would all tell you the same thing: The community’s donations play a critical role in their ability to care for our smallest patients.
And for that, the words “thank you” just don’t seem enough. Because without you, Burnaby Hospital would not have the equipment needed to diagnose illness and save lives. Therefore, on behalf of all of our patients - tiny and tall - we thank you so much for your continued generosity.
Far left: Bhargavi at 560g being bathed. At this weight, she is too small for a regular bathing unit and a substitution similar in size to a cookware pot is used.
Centre left: A neonatal resuscitation unit at Burnaby Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This year, we need to raise funds for another unit.
Centre right: Bhargavi in March 2010—a real sleeping beauty.
Far right: oa Wilson, Maribel Watling, Charlotte Shiskin, and Celina Lun (who attended Bhargavi’s birth) of Burnaby Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with a message to the community.