Miracle Baby Celebrates First Birthday, Defies Doctor's One-Day-to-Live Prognosis

Marie Clare Tully miracle baby Born Premature premature birth

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Nov 24, 08:14 am

Photo: (Photo : RAFAEL MARTINS/AFP via Getty Images)

When Hector was born prematurely at just 23 weeks, doctors told his mother, Marie Clare Tully, that he may have one day to live. Doctors told Tully to say her goodbyes because baby Hector had a very low chance of survival.

However, her infant son defied the odds and celebrated his first birthday just recently.

The first 12 months were not an easy journey for Tully; nevertheless, she said it was the happiest year of her life. Hector had spent 259 nights of his life in the hospital due to severe complications because of his prematurity.

The miracle baby had hydrocephalus, which meant Hector's spinal fluid could not flow around his body due to bleeding in his brain. Apart from hydrocephalus, Hector also had retinopathy, a feeding tube, chronic lung disease, and centralized sleep apnea.

Hector has extra complications being born premature

Marie Clare said the case of Hector was unique because he had added complications due to his prematurity. The 41-year-old mom explained that Hector was also unfortunate that the shunt inside his head kept blocking.

Hector was born on November 12, 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and because of the restrictions, it meant he had to be put into isolation in the hospital until he tested negative for the coronavirus. Tully and Hector's dad, Angus, were not allowed to visit their baby boy for the first 40 hours of his life.

Hospital staff sent the Edinburgh couple photo updates of their tiny child while he battled for his life in an incubator. Tully told BBC Scotland that she only saw him when she gave birth, and she kissed him then. He was then wrapped in plastic to keep him warm and was rushed to the resuscitation department.

On maternity leave, Tully said she felt devastated not being with him. She added that she was heartbroken that they could not be with him in those crucial early moments. The chief executive of a charity said they were finally allowed to make short visits to see him after almost two days. After five days, they were able to be with Hector day and night.

Miracle baby keeps on fighting

Doctors finally took Hector off his ventilator after 42 days and said he would live. Tully couldn't believe it when she heard those words. She said she let out a wail from the bottom of her soul. She added that she couldn't articulate it, but it was the greatest feeling in the world.

Tully said there was still a long way to go, but knowing the team thought he would survive was so great. Hector was allowed to go home on April 2022, five months after his birth.

The miracle baby has had 15 operations and has been rushed to A&E 25 times at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, but he is still here, alive and fighting.