The baby boy, who was 14 weeks premature at birth and was as big as an iPhone in size, spent Christmas with his parents.
Myles McKenna was just 1lb 8oz at his 26-weeks-old birth on June 19.
After being diagnosed pre-eclampsia, his mother Rebecca Grainger (24 years old) was rushed to hospital for an emergency C section.
Myles, who was now unable to breath for himself, was placed immediately on a ventilator and had to endure a fifteen-week fight for his life before being permitted home.
Rebecca could not hold Myles but Warren McKenna was able to give Myles a brief cuddle.
Myles McKenna, a 14-week premature baby, weighed only 1lb 8oz on the 19th of June.
Rebecca Grainger, 24, from Glasgow was rushed into hospital for an emergency Caesarean section after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks
Baby Myles has returned home, and he spent his first weekend at the house with Rebecca and Warren.
Due to Covid restrictions only parents could enter the neonatal intensive medical unit. Warren was allowed to see Rebecca.
They were afraid of getting Covid and would be forced to isolate their baby.
For fifteen weeks, the couple lived around the hospital. Myles often left at 5am to go see Myles while I was there until midnight.
Rebecca said, “That would have been my worst nightmare. Knowing that I couldn’t get up there for ten days.”
Myles, who was now unable to breath for himself, was placed immediately on a ventilator and faced a fifteen-week fight for his life.
Myles McKenna’s foot impression taken following his birth at the same size as an iPhone
Rebecca stated that she was feeling well during her pregnancy, but 26 weeks later she noticed no movement. Rebecca decided to consult her midwife.
The baby was being monitored constantly, but suddenly her heart rate dropped and she needed to be taken into hospital immediately.
Rebecca stated that she thought “I was just being a drama queen, but I’ll just call and see.” It was only 10 minutes before it would be over.
They took me to a tiny room, and said that they wouldn’t let me get pregnant again.
Rebecca Grainger, Warren McKenna and their son Myles McKenna were married.
Myles spent the first three weeks on a ventilator. He was able to overcome a blood infection but his lungs weren’t getting better.
“At that point I was only traumatized by my pregnancy going so well and I didn’t feel sick in myself, so it wasn’t hard to accept.”
Myles spent the first three weeks on a ventilator. He was able to overcome a blood infection but his lungs weren’t getting better.
Myles’ parents could receive regular updates via secure video messaging, called vCreate. This app was created by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
Rebecca shared that her daily routine included getting up in the morning and looking at the vCreate, where nurses could have uploaded a video or picture during the night.
“They made it so personal, and that really helped us.
The miracle preterm baby, which was the size of an iPhone, spent Christmas at home with his parents after a wild year in which his parents were afraid he might not make it.
Covid was a terrifying possibility for the couple. They also feared being forced to be isolated. The baby’s absence from them for ten days would have been their “worst nightmare.”
“The consultant told us that Myles had been on the ventilator for too many days so they were going to give him steroids. But there were side effects.
“Basically, the consultant stated that “If he keeps on the ventilator, he could be killed” but “If he’s given steroids, he could live,” and I recall thinking “Why is all this happening?”
It was always said it would look like a rollercoaster. At this point, I realized that the rollercoaster had crashed.
Rebecca stated that she was feeling fine during her pregnancy, but 26 weeks later she noticed she didn’t feel much movement. Rebecca decided to consult her midwife. Little Myles is shown in this photo
Myles was born one week before Rebecca could hold him. However, she stated that Myles has settled well in her home now, despite being diagnosed with chronic lung disease.
He was about the same size as an iPhone. I could feel his weight on my palm. Consultants explained to me that anything could occur with him. It could even go 50/50.
“It was difficult to hear it on my own. I had the fear of being alone. He was already 5 lb and 5 oz when we finally got him home. We still think that he is tiny, but he was a giant baby.
Although Myles was born a week ago, Rebecca wasn’t able to give birth to him until he was fully grown.
Rebecca stated, “The first time that I held him was incredible because I saw his tiny face. It was a completely different experience to have skin-to-skin contact later.
“That’s when he really felt like ‘I’m His Mum’. There were many tears when he was finally allowed to see his extended family.
“He is just incredible. He can now smile, laugh and even babble. It has been wonderful to bring him home. It’s a miracle.
Rebecca (pictured here with Warren) said that it was “tears galore” when Myles’ family first met her.
Above, they are thrilled to be back at home with their little boy after risking his life.
Rebecca stated that her son felt like a giant when she allowed him home, as he was still so tiny at birth.