Newlyweds Become Parents When Baby with 'Fighting Spirit' Arrives at 22 Weeks, Weighing Just Over 1 Lb.
A doctor tells PEOPLE that baby Mira's odds of survival were less than 50% when she was born
Courtesy of Ben Urbach
Ben and Sara Urbach with baby Mira.Baby Mira was born weighing 1 lbs., 3 oz. — and she arrived just 12 days after her parents tied the knot
Dr. Mark Brisso, a neonatologist and medical director at the NICU at Bryan Medical Center, says that when Mira was born, her odds of survival were less than 50%
Fortunately, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE that Mira is thriving as she continues to recover and grow during her NICU stay
Newlyweds from Nebraska became parents less than two weeks after their wedding when their daughter was born four months early.
Baby Mira was born at just 22 weeks and five days, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE. "She's a tough one," he says.
Dr. Mark Brisso, neonatologist and medical director at the NICU at Bryan Medical Center, says that Mira weighed 1 lbs., 3 oz. when she was born — and that based on her gestation and weight, her odds of survival were less than 50%.
Fortunately, her dad says that now Mira is doing very well as she continues to make progress in the NICU.
Courtesy of Ben Urbach
Ben and Sara Urbach with baby Mira.Related: Couple Postpones Wedding After Daughter's Premature Birth — But NICU Nurse Says 'Get Married Here'
Ben and his wife Sara, 26, who met each other on Tinder in 2020, wed on Jan. 13. Initially, the pregnancy news was “kind of a surprise,” Urbach says, who shares they decided to get married before they knew.
But since they already had a date set, they decided to stick with their wedding as planned. “Everything was fine,” Ben, 36, says. “Nothing was too challenging.”
After the wedding, the pair went in for a 2 p.m. ultrasound appointment on Jan. 25. Then doctors discovered Sara had an incompetent cervix, which can cause premature birth and even miscarriage, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
"She started dilating when she wasn't supposed to, and when that happens, they try to wait to see what happens, but more often than not, the baby needs to come out," he says. By about 8 p.m. that night, baby Mira was born.
Courtesy of Ben Urbach
Ben Urbach with baby Mira.Related: How the World's Most Premature Infant, Now 1 and Defying Great Odds, Became a 'Miracle Baby'
The sudden birth not only came as a shock to the couple but even made history as one of the earliest births ever in Nebraska, per ABC affiliate KETV and CBS affiliate KOLN.
In the weeks since, Ben says that Mira — who is currently "on ventilation and nutritional support," according to her doctor — has made great progress.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Brisso agrees, saying she has "thrived in her care" and remains in "critical but stable condition."
Courtesy of Ben Urbach
Mira is making great progress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bryan Health, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE."Mira has a fighting spirit and our team is looking forward to watching her progress and hit those important milestones as she continues to grow!" Brisso says, noting that they expect her to remain in the NICU for about 12-16 more weeks.
Plus, she's growing, according to her father, who says his daughter is up to 1 lbs., 10 oz.
As she continues to recover in the NICU, a GoFundMe fundraiser was launched by some of Ben's family "to alleviate the stress for Ben and Sara," as the cost of the NICU is $3,000 to $20,000 per day. More than $17,000 has been raised as of Thursday afternoon.
Ben, who is looking forward to having his family reunited at home, tells PEOPLE that he’s taking Mira's recovery day by day.
“There's going to be good days, there's going to be bad days," he says. "And bad days are bad, but good days are good."
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
