Couple Asks for Prayers for Premature Son Born at 22 Weeks, Weighing 14 Ounces (PHOTO)
An Apple Valley, California couple is asking for prayer for their son Decklen, born premature at 22 weeks and weighing a mere 14 ounces. The couple already lost one child, a daughter named Serenity, at 22 weeks not long ago and are praying that this time the outcome is much different.
Carrie Maize gave birth to Decklen on Tuesday, when she was just 22 weeks along in her pregnancy. Doctors discovered that she had a prolapsed umbilical cord, which is when the cord that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the baby, is delivered ahead of the baby.
"It was a choice between me and my wife if we wanted to try to save him or not," James Maize told CBS. "We decided that we wanted to try to save him, so they rushed her back for a C-section."
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Decklen was born and immediately taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he was placed on a ventilator and hooked up to several machines that will mimic his time in the womb until he is strong enough to be removed from the ventilator and can breathe on his own. His parents are praying that Decklen will continue to get stronger and have created a Facebook page to keep the world apprised of his condition.
"If he's a fighter, you know, we want him to fight and make his own decisions," James said. "It's rough … just being able to sit there at his bedside and just pretty much whisper."
James, who is stationed in Virginia, was able to fly to California to be with his wife and son. It's a situation they have been in before. Last year, Carrie delivered another baby at 22 weeks, a girl they named Serenity, but she did not survive. The couple want people to realize that premature babies are worth fighting for.
"If a baby can be saved, if you have a doctor that is willing to do what he has to do, and we have a great doctor, you know, and he's doing everything he possibly can for our son," James said.
"I hope this teaches people that little babies are worth fighting for!" he posted on Facebook. "Decklen is fighting a tough battle and is over coming it all! Never be deceived by someone's small size. Our son is our hero!"
Carrie is due to be released later this week, but baby Decklen will stay in the hospital until doctors decide he is ready to fully meet the world.
