Premature baby celebrates major milestone
A premature baby boy who had a tough start to life has marked a major milestone at a Melbourne hospital.
It is 100 days since tiny baby Jacob Horne was born at just 24 weeks at the Mercy Hospital for Women.
After a tricky start, Jacob is now thriving, and his family is hopeful he will soon be given the all-clear to go home.
The little boy's mum, Lucy, went into early labour in June.
She was flown from Deniliquin in southern NSW to Melbourne's Mercy Hospital for Women, where she gave birth at just 24 weeks and four days.
No longer than a Biro pen in length, tiny Jacob weighed 735 grams, and was given a 65 per cent chance of survival.
The youngest baby to survive at the hospital was delivered at just 22 weeks.
"Words can't explain how small he was and what he went through," Lucy said.
"He was so fragile and small, he could fit into my hand."
Jacob's father Matt added: "I think he's got a lot of spirit. We like to think he's from good stock and he's fought off some pretty nasty things."
To mark the special occasion, Lucy and Matt put together a montage capturing Jacob's journey so far, from a tiny premature baby to a robust and strong little boy.
The tribute shows the milestones, and the serious complications he has endured throughout his remarkable little life.
Baby Jacob was due to arrive into the world this Saturday but his parents now hope he will be well enough to be relocated to a hospital closer to home.
"We're delighted to have a little boy that we can take home soon to love and cherish," Matt said.
While Lucy has spent everyday by Jacob's bedside, Matt has travelled to Melbourne regularly with Jacob's big sisters, Zarly and Lara, who can't wait to have their little brother home.
