Publications
Partners
When Nawaal Moses was admitted into Melomed Gatesville hospital at 24 weeks pregnant, she recalls being in excruciating pain and calling out to God for guidance.
On 30 April, Abdul-Khaaliq Moses was born 3 months premature and weighing only 630g, making him the youngest baby to be delivered at the hospital and his parents' firstborn.
Mom Nawaal says she recalls that day clearly and had no idea what to expect, given she had previously suffered a painful miscarriage.
"I remember when I was giving birth, the doctors told me that if [the baby] doesn't respond or kick, they can't do much and as tiny as he is, I felt him kick and that was him saying 'I'm here!'" she told Parent24.
Considering that 24 weeks is usually a 'miscarriage period', she clutched to her faith and still looks back admiringly at the strength of her little boy.
"I heard the nurse telling another nurse 'please do something because this boy is strong!'" Moses reminisced.
After baby Abdul-Khaalif was born, the happy mom told us she took it "hour by hour" as doctors had no idea if her baby would survive.
Also see: Mothers' breast milked filled with 'forever chemicals', finds one US study
But, hours turned into days and days turned into months. Finally, after 70 days, Baby Moses - weighing in at just 1.8kg - was taken off of oxygen and declared ready to go home with his family.
"When the doctors informed me that they think he's ready to go home, I was very overwhelmed – I asked a lot of questions. I was very nervous because I'd had the nurses and doctors by my side and now I didn't know what to expect, but I was excited," Moses told us.
Now, the Moses family looks forward to the journey ahead for their family of 3.
"I've seen him as a tiny little boy in his incubator, kicking and smiling and I'm just excited to see him grow," Moses said.
Chatback:
Share your stories and questions with us via email at chatback@parent24.com. Anonymous contributions are welcome.
Don't miss a story!
For a weekly wrap of our latest parenting news and advice sign up to our free Friday Parent24 newsletter.
