Smaller than a Barbie, tiny enough that her father’s wedding band could fit around her arm, tiny Kallie Bender was just 13 oz when she was born, making her one of the smallest babies ever born in Arizona.
After being told by doctors that this tiny baby might not survive, due to her extreme premature birth and tiny frame, little Kallie defied the odds and is now being released from Dignity Health St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
Kallie was born in Arizona to Ebonie and Dameon, a couple with three sons that were excited about adding a daughter to the mix. Ebonie was considered a “high risk” pregnancy due to her blood pressure, but she had no idea what exactly that would mean for unborn baby Kallie.
She was admitted to the hospital at 25 weeks when doctors noticed on a routine scan that Kallie was smaller than she should be. They determined that Ebonie had what is called absent end-diastolic flow, which is where there isn’t enough fluid around the fetus to cradle it properly.
Despite the fact that Ebonie was just 25 weeks pregnant, 15 weeks before her due date, doctors said the best chance at Kallie’s survival would be to deliver. But they warned the couple – this is dangerous, and there is a real chance that Kallie won’t pull through.
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Kallie has beaten the odds and surprised even doctors.
After her birth, she was rushed to the NICU, where Kallie spent a stunning 150 days or nearly 5 full months. During this time, the premie baby underwent several surgeries to correct issues, including major heart surgery.
When she was first born, Kallie was just 13 oz, smaller than the average container of soup. Her father’s wedding band fit around her wrist with plenty of room to spare, like a bracelet that was far too big. She was smaller than a standard-sized barbie, which seems almost impossibly small.
Now, at a healthy 7lbs, Kallie is finally ready to leave the NICU and go home with her family.
“It’s bittersweet to leave. But she’s an amazing little fighter and I can’t wait to see the personality she brings to her family.” Ebonie said, visibly relieved that her daughter would be coming home where she belonged.
Kallie’s name graces the “Tiny Baby Registry”, which holds the names of just 225 other babies born since 1936 around the entire world that are considered “tiny”, and have survived.
