Against All Odds, 22-Week-Old Preemie Leaves the NICU After 4 Months

An amazing 22-week-old preemie finally left the NICU after a long 4-month hospital stay, and his parents couldn’t be happier. When Megan Wollbert went into early labor, she thought her son, Wells, wasn’t going to make it. Now, she, her husband, and the whole hospital are celebrating a miracle.

They Didn’t Think the 22-Week-Old Preemie Was Going to Make It

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"It kind of felt like I was holding nothing," Megan said of when she got to hold 1-pound Wells when he was 19 days old.

"I thought viability was 24 weeks. So my whole wheelchair ride to the labor and delivery, I thought I was just delivering a baby that we were going to spend a little bit of time with, and that was it,” she recalled.

Wells now weighs 7 pounds. And while he still needs oxygen support for his underdeveloped lungs, he’s still thriving. 

"We have not had a baby at 22 weeks survive to go home from this institution for about 14 years. So he is a champ in every way," said Dr. Maria Strand, Chair of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine at Ohio’s Akron Children's Hospital. "...There has never been any doubt that Wells is going to thrive.”

A Little Miracle

Wells has had to go to regular occupational therapy appointments since being discharged.

"When you are born premature, everything about you is immature. Your brain, your sensory systems, and your musculoskeletal system. So he struggles sometimes supporting that motility just because moving against gravity is hard," said his therapist, Izzy De Leon.

"He really does a nice job moving his body with it ... and he does a fantastic job calming and believe it or not, that is a developmental skill," she said.

Wells’ dad, Adam, was surprised at Wells’ appearance and vitality when he was born.

“I immediately fell in love with him. I knew that he was in the right place to have the best chance, and I just couldn't wait to watch him grow,” he said. 

"He has a very high risk of being rehospitalized in his first year after discharge because of his lung disease and how his lungs still have to grow. If he were to get a common cold, he would likely be back in the hospital," Dr. Strand said. 

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A Happy Family, At Last

Despite that warning, his parents are relieved to have him home.

"We're tired, but we're happy to be tired. It's good to be tired at home with him," Adam said. 

When they left the hospital with Wells in a stroller, many hospital staff lined up and clapped, bringing tears to Megan’s eyes. 

Megan and Adam decided to have two celebrations every year: Wells’ birthday and the day they brought him home, which they’re calling “Family Day.”

"Just telling people he's four months old today, but his due date is tomorrow. It's kind of a funny thing," Megan said. 

Wow—how incredible is it that this little baby defied all odds and is thriving, ready to go home with his parents? His family is blessed beyond belief!

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“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” - Psalm 139:13

WATCH: Against All Odds, 22-Week-Old Preemie Leaves the NICU After 4 Months

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h/t: WKYC

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/WKYC Channel 3

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.