Oct
2007
Amillia Taylor Turns 1!!
The Florida baby that had been called the “youngest surviving preemie” has turned 1.
Amillia Taylor was born at 21 weeks 6 days weighing 10ozs in Miami Florida last year.
It was amazing that the baby was even resuscitated because:
The American Association of Pediatrics says that babies born at less than 23 weeks of age and 400g in weight are not considered viable. The survival rate for a child born at 23 weeks and weighing a pound is just 30 per cent.
She spent 4 months in the NICU and then was released to go home requiring oxygen.
In July, People Magazine ran an update article on her and at that time she was growing and thriving at home with her parents.
Last week, about a hundred family members, friends, doctors, nurses and physical caretakers gathered for a birthday party at Signature Gardens, where the miracle of her birth and the prayer-fueled, financially draining medical feat that has been the first year of her life were celebrated.
This last year has been challenging for the Taylor family. Amillia’s arrival put tremendous stress on them.
There were the daily doctor visits. Amillia had to be kept in extremely sanitary conditions and fed every four hours. The parents had to administer a dozen medications to the little girl daily. Because Amillia couldn’t be exposed to crowds, the family couldn’t attend church or social events. They were medically segregated.
And to top it all off, anti-abortion activists, convinced Amillia underscored the righteousness of their cause, showed up at their door at odd hours, sometimes from overseas, asking for pictures and testimonials.
Police officers had to patrol the area.
The family does not want their baby to be a poster child for anti-abortion websites like lifesitenews.com and prolifeblogs.com.
They just want her to be their daughter.
Although she is still a few pounds underweight, Amillia is healthy, down to one medication a day, Prevacid for her heartburn, and one doctors visit a month. She suffers from reflux.
In the last two weeks, she had a growth spurt, growing 2 ½ inches, her mom said.
On Saturday, she sprouted her first tooth.
In order to cope with the stress of being a preemie mom, Sonja Taylor has joined an online support group so that she can connect with other moms in her situation.
”We talk about everything from lactation to diaper changes to our own emotions,” said Taylor.
Like many preemie moms the Taylors worry about their daughter getting sick.
The medical appointments are early in the morning when other people are not around so Amillia is not exposed to germs.
”I always keep her covered,” she said. “We can’t ride in elevators with other people.
Last week, Amillia got clearance to be in crowds. On Sunday, the family will attend services at their church.
After reading how well Amilia Taylor has done, along with the many other babies I have covered that have arrived well before their due date, it is disheartening to read that:
UKs Health Minister Dawn Primarolo told MPs today that medical technology had not advanced enough to justify a reduction in the 24 week time limit for abortion because a baby born at that gestation still had little chance of surviving.
Our hospital has a survial rate of about 65% for babies that are born at 24 weeks gestation. How much better do they need?
Related Articles:
- Micro-preemie defied 1000 to 1 odds
- 25 Week Baby Born on Airplane: Still Thriving
- Miracle 24 Weeker Goes Home
- Another Miracle 23 Weeker
Comment by alice on 20 June 2008:
I think people should respect te parent’s wished and not use their child as an idol to promote the ideals of anti-abortion groups.
Comment by growingyourbaby on 20 June 2008:
Amillia’s story has been used to re-visit the abortion threshold, which I agree with. Legislators would like it reduced from 24 weeks gestation to 20 weeks gestation because babies like Amillia are surviving and going on to thrive.
I would be nice for expectant moms to know at what stage their baby is at when they make this life changing decision.
Comment by k on 3 August 2008:
I was born 12 weeks early and I am an adult now. I think Amillia is going to live until she’s in old age and have a family all her own too.
Comment by Linda Follis on 31 October 2008:
The sad part is that we would need a so-called poster child to indicate that life at 21 weeks (or earlier) is precious and deserving of concern, and medical care.
Comment by s on 18 December 2008:
it is still a woman’s right to chose re: abortion so until the law changes …
these ppl r lucky, many many preemies have severe life long health issues
Comment by De bbie P. on 27 December 2008:
It would be WONDERFUL if this family would become the FACE & VOICE for premature babies. But it is ultimately up to them! I am sure they have prayed about this decision Not to participate in this way and maybe when Amillia gets a little older, they will change their minds. They need our prayers most of all!!!
Maybe one day, this family or another with a child equally as miraculous can start a foundation for babies born sooo prematurely. When these babies show the world how they CAN SURVIVE other families with more severely premature kiddos will join the foundation until there is enough of them to convince the powers that be that the 24 week time limit should be reduced to 20 weeks.
These babies are just proof positive that God is still in the Miracle Business!!!!!
Comment by momo on 16 February 2009:
Wow ; I really cant believe she made it .
All my wish & Special love goes for her .
I think everyone should applaue her for surviving ;
She is born as a fighter ; She is not a quiter .
And I totally respect that .
She is going to have my word for her on being any other kid in her family / friends / school / life etc ..
Wish you luck my little one<3
-M0M0 l0ves y0u<3
-M0M0 ; MyNguyen[:
Comment by a German on 10 June 2009:
I´m very toutched of that story. I didn´t know, children can survive when they were born that early. In Germany an arbortion is allowed only untill the 12th week. I´m shocked that an arbotion is made till the 24 week in the US.
The brain starts the work in the 12th week so the unborn will have pain during the aborton…
Well, I´m happy I heard of that story, and I thing the parent´s whish should be respectet. They should decide wether the child is used for an idol or not.