Meet Daniel

One of the smallest babies to be born in Ohio with a 5% survival rate beat all odds and has officially been discharged from the NICU after almost 7 months! Daniel was born on May 20th when I was only 22 weeks pregnant and at that time I had only known I was pregnant for 3 months when I was faced with the difficult decision to deliver an extremely premature baby.

On May 13th I was feeling horrible cramps and was rushed to the nearest hospital at exactly 21.0 weeks, we arrived at Pickerington Hospital where the doctor informed me I was going into labor and was 2 cm dilated. I cried like no other. I knew this baby would not survive and Pickerington informed me they would not be able to deliver a baby that premature but they could rush me to Grant or Riverside. I said whatever was quickest, Grant took me in and I was placed on bedrest. 3 days later I was informed that Daniel was 2/3s out and ready to come out. I asked we no longer check dilation in hope I could make it to the weekend where I could qualify for contraction stopping shots. Thankfully we did. Nationwide at Grants gathered the best team and on May 20th, 7 days after I was admitted, I gave birth to a 12/13 oz baby boy, Daniel Alexander Medina.

Daniels birth weight was 13.65 oz however due to the machinery it gave him an extra 1.65 oz, his true birth weight was at exactly 12 oz. Nationwide's Dr. Moraille told me the chances of survival were small but we had the best team possible. Nurse practitioner Antonette Hurst, gave Daniel every single breath for the first few minutes of his life. Due to the attentive care and fast acting nurses and practitioners, time after time Daniels life continued to be saved. Daniel received close to over 10 blood transfusions, 3 surgeries and a lot of love. We thank Nationwide Children's for their dedications to saving his life but also to opening their laws to revival of 22 weekers because had they not allowed Daniel revival our story would not exist.

Nationwide Children's has been our home for almost 7 months day and night and through the wonderful staff i have learned how to change a gtube, administer cpr, provide oxygen support and many more life saving measures. I know our story is far from ordinary but i write this in hopes to inspire the next mom of a 22 weeker who is struggling to find support or someone who they can relate to. We share Daniels story through our tiktok (Discovering_Daniel) account in hope of paving the way for neonatal care and future 22 weekers. All we can say is we are thankful for all of Nationwide Children's, the doctors, the practioners, the nurses, the respitory therapist, the message, OT and music therapist, the blue jackets room, staff, and many more!

Daniel was discharged on 12/4/2024!