A new record in the NICU

Despite being severely underweight, when she was born she weighed no more than 454 grams, Sara’s parents, Jamal and Samira Watad from Gat, were sure that she would survive every single hardship. The NICU staff were happy to completely fulfill these high expectations this past week, when little Sara was released to her home weighing a satisfying 2.2 kg, unaware of the magnitude of the amazing achievement of her birth– being the smallest baby to be born and survive at the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.

“The last record was of baby, N. from Or Akiva, who was born in 2002, weighing 467 grams”, says Dr. Michael Feldman, director of the Newborn and Premature Baby Ward, who, along with the rest of his team, accompanied Sara and her parents, during the past four months. He adds:” Sarah was a real fighter from the start, and each week, with every ounce added to her weight, we were pleased – both with her medical condition and her progress in other desired parameters”. 

Throughout the journey there were some serious bumps – she had to be connected to a respiration machine, and consultations had to be conducted with many experts in the hospital: neurologists, surgeons, physical therapists and more, but Sarah overcame it all.

“One of the nice things that happened during Sarah’s hospitalization,” says Dr. Feldman, “was a visit from our previous department record holder about two months ago – the same premature baby born weighing 467 grams, who is now a beautiful, healthy and lively girl of  age 10. She came to visit the NICU together with her mother, as many of the NICU’s “graduates” often do throughout the years. Sarah weighed a mere 900 grams then, but we told N. and her mother that there is contender for her title, and we’re all crossing our fingers for her. They were both very excited. “

Last Thursday, Sara’s proud parents were happy to be released from the department with her in hands. The Watad couple showered compliments on the staff, who, in return, complimented them as well: “Without a doubt, Sara’s parents optimism was important to her daily progress,” says Dr. Feldman, “a progress that, I’m sure, will continue to thrive  from now on.”