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Tiny 'Miracle' Baby Finally Goes Home

By DANIELA FLORES,
AP
Posted: 2007-08-20 12:22:24
Filed Under: Health News, Nation News, Science News
(Aug. 17) - After almost four months of waiting, Tamera Dixon, who weighed less than a soda can when she was born on April 25, is ready to head home. Believed to be one of the smallest babies ever born in New Jersey, the Trenton preemie has spent most of her life in an incubator.

Tamera weighed slightly more than 11 ounces and measured 10 inches when she was born after only 6 months in the womb. Now that she's 4 pounds, 8 ounces, doctors have given her the OK to go home with her parents.

She was scheduled to leave the hospital Friday, but after the excitement of a news conference, hospital officials said she'll most likely head home Saturday.

"It is a miracle, she is a miracle," her mother, Andrea Haws, said with a bright smile Friday as she held the baby girl she'd prayed for.

"From when she was born, I think everyone knew she was a fighter," she said. "She's going to be a feisty little girl."

Tamera was delivered by Caesarean section at 25 weeks - 15 weeks short of a normal gestation period. Haws had already experienced complications during her pregnancy, but when her kidneys started failing and Tamera stopped growing, doctors decided they couldn't wait any longer to deliver her.

Haws, 40, recovered, but still spent most of her time at Capital Health System's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit visiting a child who she said at one point "didn't look like a human being."

That's all changed for Tamera, who would have been about a week old on Friday had she arrived near her due date. While being fed on Thursday, the pink onesie-wearing bundle of energy wriggled in a nurse's arm and looked around the room attentively - her size the only sign of her past troubles.

Dr. Stephen Moffitt, Tamera's doctor, said he's cautiously optimistic that she'll develop normally.

"She's breathing perfectly well on her own," said Moffitt, adding that doctors gave Tamera a 10 to 15 percent chance of survival before she was born.

Seeing Tamera transform into the bright-eyed center of attention at the NICU has been very exciting, Haws said. She credits the hospital and her faith in God for helping her through the hard times.

"To see an 11 ounce-baby, you wouldn't believe what it looked like," said Haws, who moved to Trenton from Jamaica a few years ago. "It was just skin and bones. She had all those wires all over and it was very scary."

Haws, who already has two boys, ages 11 and 7, with her husband, Terry Dixon, is enrolled in a family support program at the hospital.

Christy Keppel, a family support specialist with the March of Dimes who works at Capital Health System, said it's rare for babies who are born Tamera's size to survive and go home without complications. She's been working with Haws to let her know what to expect when she brings Tamera home. As part of that program, Haws spent Thursday night at the hospital alone with her baby.

"It gives them a chance to make sure that they're fully prepared to take the baby home," Keppel said.

Haws said she's nervous because Tamera is so small, but after praying for a girl and then waiting more than a month to even hold her, she's more excited to be able to take care of her baby.

"She has overcome all her obstacles," Haws said. "I'm very excited to bring her home."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2007-08-18 18:37:42
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2445 comments

GENEBILDER 11:41:36 PM Aug 24 2007

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SHE IS BEAUTIFULL, AND GOD HAS BEEN BLESSING YOU ALL ALONG, WE CAN PRAY THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. SHE IS A TREASURE

coopmuffin8 09:24:10 PM Aug 24 2007

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God is soooo good! I ask him to put blessing upon your daughter and also your family.

From Gadsden, Alabama
Mia Cooper

meaghan x baby 05:28:00 PM Aug 21 2007

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She is such a miracle. So many premature babies die a year and she, one of the lowest chance babies, made it. God bless her and the parents!

kreutzberg 05:19:23 PM Aug 21 2007

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Your little baby is a priceless little doll. She has such precious eyes and I bet she takes in the world with them. I thank God that He brought such a little one into the world and was with her every step of the way. May God continue to bless you and your family.

rwilliams8462 04:28:18 PM Aug 21 2007

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May our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your family everyday as you go down these bumping roads in life. Stay stronge WE are all with you in Christ. Love Ruthi from FL.

ClwbchBabycakes 01:44:00 PM Aug 21 2007

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Truly a miracle - she was obviously meant to be here. My prayers to her and her family.

Luvnjade21 10:03:48 AM Aug 21 2007

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You know, there will always be ignorant asses that just say nasty things to get a response. You appease them, and add fuel to their flames by responding. We know better... They are probably just people miserable in their own lives, and to be happy, they have to make fun of a new born premature baby, how sad.....
Let's not waste any more time appeasing them, and giving them our time of day. Who cares what these immature, unintelligent, hateful, miserable people have to say?? They're miserable obviously, to say such mean things about an innocent baby that has already had to fight more to live than they ever have....
May thier children be blessed with ugliness (karma, karma )..and may Baby Tamera prosper and grow to be more beautiful and well loved...
She will at least appreciate the life that's been given to her..

debraissaved4him 08:47:03 PM Aug 20 2007

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I am happy for this little one as well. My preemie was born at 26 weeks gestation and was 14 1/2 inches spent 72 long days in the NICU. Today he is 15 Diagnosed at 6 months with Cerebral Palsy due to brain bleeds shortly after he was born. My son uses a powered wheelchair. I am still blessed to have him and wouldn't change a day without him. I also have 2 other children born full term. Every baby born is worth trying to save.

debraissaved4him 08:47:02 PM Aug 20 2007

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I am happy for this little one as well. My preemie was born at 26 weeks gestation and was 14 1/2 inches spent 72 long days in the NICU. Today he is 15 Diagnosed at 6 months with Cerebral Palsy due to brain bleeds shortly after he was born. My son uses a powered wheelchair. I am still blessed to have him and wouldn't change a day without him. I also have 2 other children born full term. Every baby born is worth trying to save.

turkepom2 08:24:43 AM Aug 20 2007

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BABY STORIES ALWAYS BRING OUT THE WOMEN......
TELLING THEIR OWN BABY STORY......
YAWNNNNN

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