Prem Baby Wins Battle to Thrive

Niamyah Beel has already shown she wants to be here.

Born at just 26 weeks, and weighing 710 grams, she has had to work hard to thrive.

The now four-month-old has not been home long from NICU and is on oxygen, but is doing amazingly, according to mum Sara.

Sara was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and doctors found Niamyah’s growth was being restricted due to abnormal blood flow from the placenta to the baby.

With the incredible support at Queen Mary Hospital in Dunedin, a C-section was booked and Niamyah made her appearance.

She was in good company. Her older brothers Ezekiel and Maverick were both born prematurely, at 31 weeks and 30 weeks, respectively.

“My babies all fought so hard to be here. For that I am grateful,” Sara says. “They deserve for us to fight equally as hard for their lives.”

Niamyah Beel at 26 weeks, weighing just 710 grams

It was a battle for life Sara and husband Dave had to wage with the support of a huge team of doctors and nurses. Sara recovered well from the emergency C-section, but Niamyah had to put in hard yards to make it through the first month of her life. 

“I didn’t expect it would be such an emotional journey,” Sara says. “I didn’t equate it to all the medical interventions she would need.”

But with support, her growth and development has been impressive - following in the trail of her brothers.

“Initially my babies were behind [their counterparts], but they caught up quickly, and if you saw Maverick and Ezekiel now you would never know… they are bright and active.” 

Sara and Dave are pro life. “From the moment the egg meets the sperm, there is a living being… even though it is tiny. That living being, that baby, should have the same rights as babies on the outside of the womb.”

Sara says her experience of birthing premature babies just confirms her belief that all babies are beautifully formed and wonderfully made.

“I believe God creates every single baby and I don’t think it’s up to us to decide whether they should walk this earth or not. All babies and children are a gift. I am so grateful for the children we have.”