1.24-Pound Girl Born at 24 Weeks and Given 10% Chance of Survival Is Called a ‘Living Medical Miracle’ Today

A couple’s adorable baby girl, born prematurely and given only an 8 to 10% chance of survival, defied all odds stacked against her. Despite her terrifying ordeal, she emerged as a true warrior, leaving everyone awestruck with her incredible energy.

Jasmine Tobias and her husband, Troy Tobias, were a lovely couple based in Norwich, Norfolk, England. In April 2020, their lives were forever changed when they discovered they were pregnant. As was expected, they were thrilled to embrace parenthood and shower their baby with tender love and care.

Little did they know that their parental journey would be filled with endless twists and turns, astonishing them every step of the way. Things took a strange turn when Jasmine and Troy’s baby decided to surprise them with an early arrival.

Going Into Early Labor & Welcoming Her Daughter

According to Jasmine, she and her baby were perfectly healthy and normal, and the ultrasound scans and test results showed no apparent issues. Although there was no reason as to why she went into early labor, trouble ensued when she went to the toilet.

Thus, to find some semblance of hope and normalcy, Jasmine and Troy leaned on each other for support and turned to social media.

Shortly afterward, Jasmine was taken to a hospital in Norfolk, and on September 25, 2020, at only 24 weeks, baby Isla arrived, weighing almost half a bag of sugar and a little more than a can of soup. Because she was born premature, Isla’s weight was only 558 grams (approximately 1.24 pounds).

Slim Chances of Survival for the Mother-Daughter Duo

While reflecting on her baby girl’s dramatic entry into the world, Jasmine recounted, “Everything was all healthy and normal. There were no issues showing on any scans and no health issues for me either. [Isla] just decided she was ready to meet the world.”

The Tobiases received shocking and heart-rending news before their daughter’s arrival. First, they were given slim chances that their baby would make it.

Second, Jasmine’s placental placement was such that it had a strong likelihood of being ruptured, giving her only a 50% chance of survival. In other words, Troy was given only a 25% chance of taking either Jasmine or their baby girl home.

Longing to Become Parents & Their Harrowing Ordeal

Given the gravity of the situation, Troy couldn’t help but feel scared and was worried sick for his wife and their daughter, for whom the duo had spent a long time waiting.

According to Jasmine, she and Troy had longed to become parents for years and struggled to conceive. And when it finally happened, they could not rejoice or celebrate as they were on the verge of losing everything before even having a chance to call it their own.

Surviving the Odds & Documenting Their Daughter’s Journey

Fortunately, both Jasmine and Isla survived the harrowing ordeal—news that came as a breath of fresh air for Troy. But Isla’s journey was nothing less than a bumpy ride as she had to undergo surgery at just three weeks. Moreover, she had to spend several weeks in the NICU, recovering and healing, trying to push through as best as possible.

Because it happened during the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing and safety measures meant the couple’s family and friends couldn’t visit them in the hospital. Thus, to find some semblance of hope and normalcy, Jasmine and Troy leaned on each other for support and turned to social media.

The parents created an Instagram account called “Isla of Adventure,” where they documented their daughter’s progress and voiced their exhaustion, fear, worries, and gratitude. Despite her rough start, Isla continued to make progress, much to the astonishment of doctors and medical staff.

“A Living Medical Miracle”

The fighter girl persevered and was given the green signal to go home after being in the neonatal intensive care unit for almost five months (140 days). Although Isla was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and had to be monitored around the clock by her health specialists, her survival story was nothing less than a miracle.

“Here she is today, a living medical miracle, as her surgeon calls her,” gushed Jasmine. Meanwhile, Troy expressed, “We are incredibly proud and grateful to have her in our lives.” According to her parents, Isla continues to thrive and is a ray of sunshine with a loving heart and a cheerful demeanor.

Raising Funds & Sharing Their Baby Girl’s Progress

To extend gratitude to the wonderful NICU staff that helped save their daughter’s life, Jasmine and Troy try to raise funds each year. In the summer of 2022, Troy underwent rigorous training for 12 weeks and competed in a charity boxing event, which he won, and he was able to raise 2,500 pounds (US $2,990).

The proud parents continue to share their daughter’s progress on their Instagram page, peppered with Isla’s adorable antics and milestones, including the first steps she took holding her grandparents’ hands.

Isla’s Second Birthday & Her Dad’s Message

In September 2022, the Tobiases celebrated their daughter’s second birthday, alongside her christening, revealing plans to write a book sharing their incredible journey with other parents. Troy also advised parents of preemies having difficulty navigating the situation:

“Never give up. No matter how desperate it may seem, just never give up. Support each other at all costs, it’s a stressful environment and you’ll need all the support you can get.”

The Online Response

Little Isla’s phenomenally moving story was picked up by various media outlets and also made rounds on social media, amassing messages of support, love, and encouragement from the online community:

“Just shows never give up life is full of good surprises miracles do happen always believe never give up (sic).”

— (@beverley.maciejewska) January 12, 2023

“Never give up she is a fighter bless her (sic).”

— (@Susan-Williamson) January 12, 2023

“My Prayers are with her and her family. My daughter was born at 24 weeks she is now 34 with an 11year old daughter…I believe in miracles and the power of prayer (sic).”

— (@Vannessa-Lock) January 13, 2023

“Keep going little one, I hope you will grow up to be as special as you are now. You will make your parents proud, and we will all support you (sic).”

—(@stephen.lindsay.79677) January 13, 2023

“Babies are such little fighters she is a miracle baby bless (sic).”

— (@100009061664885) January 13, 2023

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Click here to read another story about an Alabama boy born at 21 weeks who defied 1% survival odds and became the world’s most premature infant.

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