Little Charlie Jones made history as the smallest baby ever delivered at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital, born at just 26 weeks’ and tipping the scales at 360 grams.
Now brace Charlie is gearing up to celebrate his first baby on October 8 after defying overwhelming odds.
His Crestmead parents, Samantha and Nick Jones, say they’re over the moon and are excited to celebrate a birthday they thought may never come to be.
"We’re all so excited,” Mrs Jones said.
“It’s been such a rough year. Our family is over the moon, so we’re throwing a dinosaur-themed birthday party to celebrate our little Charlie.”
At just one-tenth the weight of a typical newborn boy, Charlie beat the 1992 record for Mater Mothers’ smallest baby, set by Jonathon Heeley, the ‘Coke Can Kid’, who was born at 374 grams.
Charlie suffered severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) caused by placental failure, which forced doctors to perform an emergency caesarean section.
“My placenta wasn't receiving enough blood flow, which meant Charlie wasn't receiving all the nutrients he needed, which was restricting his growth,” Mrs Jones said.
“At the time we were so worried the medical equipment he needed to survive wasn't going to be suitable for him because he was just so small. So, when the doctors pulled Charlie out during my caesarean and my husband saw that doctors were able to place a breathing tube, we knew that he had a fighting chance."
Mrs and Mr Jones say if it wasn’t for the lifesaving care their son received, they wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone today.
“It was a terrifying time,” Mrs Jones said.
“We were anxious every day – but now Charlie is an absolute firecracker. He will get into everything, he is a happy baby, he's always laughing and smiling. The only time he's grumpy is when he's hungry or he's tired. So, he’s always happy."
Mater Mothers' Hospitals General Manager Kerri Gane said Charlie was one “tough little guy”.
“The survival of extremely premature babies like Charlie relies not just on medical intervention, but on the dedication of our entire Neonatal Critical Care Unit team,” Ms Gane said.
“Our ultimate goal in the NCCU is not just survival, but ensuring these remarkable babies can eventually go home to live full, healthy lives with their families, just like Charlie."
