‘A walking miracle’: Premature baby born at 22 weeks now thriving in Georgia

A Georgia toddler born barely past the point of viability is now a thriving 2-year-old, Life News reports.

Tuff Born was delivered at just 22 weeks gestation, one day beyond the point where doctors typically attempt resuscitation. He weighed only 1 pound, 4 ounces when he was born Feb. 19, 2023, at WellStar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia.

“At one moment, we were preparing for funeral arrangements,” his mother, Michaela Born, told 11 Alive.

Although the baby faced grim odds and 136 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Tuff pulled through.

Now the toddler is a “wild little man,” according to his mom – full of energy, always babbling and stunning doctors with his progress.

“Sometimes doctors walk in the room, and they’re like, ‘There’s no way this kid was a 22-weeker!’” Michaela told TODAY.com last week.

Michaela had faced complications during pregnancy, including what doctors call an “incompetent cervix,” leading to an emergency procedure at 19 weeks to keep the pregnancy going. After just 10 days of bedrest, she was briefly discharged, but labor started again soon after.

Doctors initially told the family that even if Tuff survived, he would likely have no quality of life.

“We’re beyond blessed because at one point they told us if he did survive, he’d probably be plugged into a wall and have oxygen and then basically no quality of life,” she said. “So he has proven to beat all odds.”

Tuff recently celebrated his second birthday with his family at the NICU that saved his life. The name “Tuff,” inspired by rodeo star Tuff Hedeman, has taken on deeper meaning than anyone predicted.

“We always just loved that name, Tuff,” Michaela said. “It ended up being more fitting than it ever was planned to be.”

“Tuff is a walking miracle,” she added.

Tuff is one of the most premature babies ever to survive childbirth. The most premature one was born in 2020 at just 21 weeks and one day. His name is Curtis Zy-Keith; the toddler from Alabama turned 5 years old earlier this month.

In most countries, aborting babies after more than 20 weeks of pregnancy isn’t allowed. However, the United States is one of just seven countries – including China, Vietnam and North Korea – permitting elective abortions after this timeframe.