Doctors Weren't Sure 1-Pound Baby Would Survive - So They Did The Unimaginable And It Worked
A U.K. couple almost lost their newborn, born at just 27 weeks with an emergency C-section — until quick-thinking healthcare workers saved the baby's life.
Terrible news
Emily Rospo and Samantha Hughes had been trying for a baby for three years, but 27 weeks into Rospo's pregnancy they got horrible news.
Rospo, 30, was sold she had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section to deliver the baby after being diagnosed with placenta insufficiency.
"We were told multiple times to prepare for the worst and that she was unlikely to make it," Rospo told The Daily Mail. "Nothing can prepare you for being told that your baby might not make it."
But Rospo was brave.
"Despite being told her chances were slim, I kept a positive mindset and believing she was going to make it is what got me through."
Emily Rospo
When Orla-May Rospo-Hughes was born, she weighed just 1.08 pounds — a reasonable weight for 22 weeks, though she was born five weeks later.
Doctors had a trick up their sleeve
Immediately after being born, the baby struggled to breathe and doctors worried that her newborn skin wouldn't be able to sustain enough heat to keep her body warm. So, the medics had a creative idea.
After putting a tube down Orla-May's throat, they wrapped her in a sandwich bag to keep her warm. Rospo was shocked, having never heard of the sandwich bag trick before.
"I didn't even get to see her before she was taken away; there was a lot going on in the room and I felt all sorts of emotions," Rospo said. "Seeing her in there like that was scary - she was tiny. She's smaller than the size of my hand."
But according to The Daily Mail, the sandwich bag trick is commonly used in the U.K. and goes as far back as a 1971 US study as a way to keep newborns warm.
A miracle
Orla-May is still in hospital and being monitored, but miraculously, she's doing well.
"We haven't been able to hold her yet but we are allowed to touch her and be with her 24/7," Rospo said.
"We take each day as it comes; she has managed to put a little bit of weight on so we're just trying to stay positive."
Emily Rospo
Grateful for frontline workers
No parent wants to hear that their baby is in danger. All they can do is put their faith in the experts, and thankfully, these doctors were up to the challenge.
This is a good opportunity to be thankful for all the spectacular healthcare workers out there saving babies and coronavirus patients. We'd be lost without their bravery.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.