Erika Brown was just 23 weeks pregnant when her waters broke, and just a week later, her tiny son Oliver made his entrance into the world.
The 20-year-old new mum and her partner Lachlan were told their son had a ‘slim’ chance of survival. He weighed just 520g – around the same as a tub of butter.
But eight months on Oliver is proving his small size doesn’t define his strength – he now tips the scales at 6kg.
One of the smallest babies born at South Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s Hospital in 2022, Oliver is a sign of hope to all parents of premature babies.
“When he was born, my one hand could cover his whole body,” Erika said.
“He was so tiny and there were moments when I thought he wasn’t going to make it, but I look at him
now and can see he’s a fighter.”
Oliver was cared for round-the-clock for four months in Mater’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, with his parents saying it was ‘touch and go’ for a long time. He received blood transfusions and has been diagnosed with a chronic lung condition due to his prematurity.
It means he still needs oxygen and regular check-ups, but he’s still kicking goals.
“We are just enjoying every moment at home with Ollie. He’s so cheeky and he looks at me in the cheekiest way. He sleeps with his arms straight out like a bird and it’s so cute,” Erkia said.
Babies born at 24 weeks gestation have a 70 percent chance of survival, and out of 1825 babies who received care in Mater’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit last year, 18 were born before 24 weeks.
“Thanks to modern maternity care and research, the medical, nursing and allied health teams within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are able to save sick babies like Oliver,” said Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch.
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