Nyla Brooke Haywood, born weighing just over 1 pound, left Silver Cross Hospital in Illinois on Monday, marking her first night at home after nearly six months of hospitalization.
The medical team, affectionately dubbed “Nyla Nation,” bid farewell to Nyla, who was born at 22 weeks into her mother Nakeya Haywood’s pregnancy, as reported by ABC Chicago affiliate WLS-TV.
Nakeya Haywood recalled the frightening experience, mentioning her diagnosis of preeclampsia, a condition characterized by high blood pressure and potential organ damage occurring after the 20th week of pregnancy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Due to the severity of Nyla’s premature birth and her extremely low weight, she was classified as a micro-preemie, predisposing her to various complications.
Dr. Corryn Greenwood, the medical director of the neonatal intensive care unit at Silver Cross Hospital, highlighted Nyla’s challenges at birth, emphasizing her significantly underdeveloped lungs and translucent skin.
Dr. Mario Sanchez, a neonatologist at the hospital, praised Nyla’s resilience, noting her faint cry and stable heart rate upon birth, signaling her determination to survive.
Despite initial hardships, Nyla steadily progressed over the ensuing months, culminating in her discharge from the hospital weighing 10 pounds.
Nakeya Haywood expressed her profound gratitude for her daughter’s miraculous journey, emphasizing her joy and relief at Nyla’s health and remarkable recovery.
