Posted on 03/05/2005 3:19:49 AM PST by beaversmom
MOBILE, Ala. - A medical team at the University of South Alabama's Children's & Women's Hospital have closely monitored the progress of a newborn who weighed only 10 ounces at birth on Feb. 15.
His parents, Phillip and Monica Whitlock, said tiny Malachi Andreas Whitlock is so far holding his own.
"I feel he's got 100 percent chance of survival," his father said.
They said they chose the name Malachi because it's one of the smallest books of the Bible, and Malachi means "messenger of God."
"He's so small, and he's sent a message to us of what love is," the father said.
Dr. Fabien Eyal, the director of USA's neonatal intensive care unit, said, "Everybody's pulling for him, but we know they're in for a very tough time."
Monica Whitlock had an emergency cesarean section after developing high blood pressure.
Malachi, at 10 ounces, weighed about 290 grams at birth. Most babies placed in the unit, Eyal said, weigh around 400 grams. One baby, born at 350 grams, did survive and went home this week.
Eyal attributed the "incredibly low birth weight" to the fact that Malachi stopped growing before his birth. He put Malachi's actual development at 20 weeks at the time of birth.
The normal gestation period is 40 weeks.
Eyal said babies born at 22 to 24 weeks are at "the limit of viability."
You, me, and a whole lotta people.
We could start a Shrink The Bear Campaign!!!! :)
Little Malachi is in need of our prayers again tonight. Please join us in prayers for him to thrive.
Praying now.
Prayers for Malachi.
We need your help with prayers for little Malachi tonight.
Thank you!!
Prayers going up for Malachi!
More prayers lifted up for little Malachi and his family.
Prayers being lifted by our family for yours.
I can do all things though Jesus, who strengthens me.
Heavenly Father, my prayers are for Malachi and his stomach function. Guide his doctors. Sustain his parents. Help us to become a society which treasures and advances life. Sometimes we see You in the midst of this painful battle, like the column of smoke or fire, wich you gave to the stiff-necked Israelites.
Help us to not be afraid, but to trust in You and seek Your will and guidance all our days. Thank you for the life of this child. Please offer the comfort of the Holy Spririt through the people who suround his parents, in Christ's precious name I pray. Amen.
Colleen
Go
Malachi!
Prayer bump....
I'm here, and on my knees for Malachi.
Continuing prayers for Malachi.
Beautiful pictures that bring back a thousand memories of Logan when he was born. Keep that bear! It will shrink as Malachi grows. Honest!!
We give thanks to God for Malachi's continuing well being and to you his parents for letting us witness yet another miracle.
Our love and hugs from Texas....
Nana (for Texas Termite and his mommy too)
LOL. You're right but I don't know how to make it green. Any hints?
Thank you for the wonderful beautiful glorious pictures. What a beautiful family. Dear God, let this little boy thrive and may he grow to be the pride of his entire family.
I sent pictures and a message to everyone on my email list who's likely to pray, including a Franciscan priest, who wrote back immediately promising to pray and to send on the message to his fellow Fransicans all over the world.
Prayers for little Malachi. May God protect him.
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