One Pound Eight Ounces

“Never doubt the hands of GOD and these miracles that we see each and every day.” – Dr. Andy Moosa

Brenda Rivas thought she was having a normal pregnancy. Everything was going along smoothly until she suddenly began to go into labor. Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t be a problem. But being only 24 weeks* along in her pregnancy, this was a major concern.

Brenda was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center where they put her on bed rest and did everything they could to keep her from delivering the baby. But three days later on March 19, 2004 she went into labor and a very premature boy, Judah Levi Rivas, was born.

Weighing a mere 1 pound, 8 ounces (680 grams), baby Judah had only a 50 percent chance of survival in part because he had also suffered a significant brain hemorrhage. This bleeding often requires a very risky brain surgery. Thankfully, under the watchful eyes of the NICU doctors and nurses, Judah’s bleeding miraculously resolved.

Brenda recently told us that, “The experience was a roller coaster. One day Judah would be doing great, the next day he would not.” For weeks this fragile baby fought for his life. His breathing was regulated with a machine for over 6 weeks, but the doctors eventually weaned him off the respirator.

Through all of it, Brenda relied on God for strength and courage. God blessed her when she came to St. Francis Medical Center. She truly appreciated the wonderful doctors and nurses. She said warmly, “They were really nice. I am so thankful for them.”

It was 99 days and many blood transfusions later that her son was eventually able to go home safely. Judah left the hospital with an apnea monitor. This machine beeps any time a baby stops breathing when in deep sleep (most premature babies forget to breathe when they’re asleep). Brenda said she would have to wake Judah up to remind him to breathe from time to time. Eventually, as Judah matured the breathing problem resolved.

Today, Judah is a happy, healthy 3 year old toddler. His nurses from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit love for him to visit. As Brenda says, “He’s just like a normal little boy. He runs, plays, and talks a lot.”

*Normal gestation is 40 weeks.