Levi Phipps Baby who weighed 900 grams at birth Date of Birth: 10.2011Год Country: Great Britain

Biography of Levi Fipps

Levi Fipps was born weighing just 900 grams, about the size of a 10-pound note. It was hard to believe that he and his best friend, Liam O'Sullivan, were the same age. While both boys reached the age of three, Levi, who was born in Birmingham, looked like he was only one year old.

Levi's first steps came as a surprise to his mother, Catherine Byers, who had believed that he would never be able to walk. Doctors had warned that Levi had many health problems that could potentially leave him disabled. Catherine said, "Tears filled my eyes when Levi took his first steps. He had been so tiny ever since he was born, and his development was so delayed. It was such an amazing moment to see him finally walk."

Levi's journey began before he was even born. He stopped growing in the womb, leading doctors to perform an emergency cesarean section to deliver him. To demonstrate just how small Levi was, a 10-pound note was placed next to his incubator. Doctors warned that Levi might only survive a few days, but he proved to be a fighter. He underwent heart surgery to fix three abnormal openings and surgery to correct a twisted intestine. Despite numerous infections, Levi continued to defy the odds. Catherine proudly said, "I am so proud of my Levi. He has overcome so much. He may be small, but he is strong, and he always has a smile on his face. Since he was born, he has been in and out of hospitals, but my Levi refuses to let his circumstances hold him back."

Catherine had longed for another child to complete her family. Over a period of three years, she had suffered six miscarriages while trying to conceive with her former partner, 32-year-old Yuan Fipps. From previous relationships, Catherine has a 14-year-old daughter named Chelsea Ann and an 11-year-old daughter named Kira. But she wanted to have another child for her own happiness. Catherine said, "I had no idea why I kept losing one baby after another, so when I finally got pregnant with Levi, I was terrified that I might lose him too. I just prayed that things would be different with this baby and hoped for the best."

At 16 weeks pregnant, Catherine went for an ultrasound that revealed concerning results. It showed that Levi's development was only at the level of a nine-week-old fetus. She was offered the option to terminate the pregnancy. Catherine recalled, "The doctors had no idea why my baby was so small. There was a risk of miscarriage or the possibility that he could be born with a genetic anomaly. But I was determined not to end his life. He had fought for so long, so I wanted to meet my son. It was unbearable for me to lose another baby."

At 26 weeks, Levi weighed 110-115 grams. In October 2011, when Catherine reached 32 weeks, doctors decided to perform an emergency cesarean section due to the increased risk of stillbirth. Catherine said, "He was so tiny that I could hardly believe he could survive. Yuan placed a 10-pound note on his chest to emphasize the miniature size of our Levi. I wanted to hold him so badly, but he was too small. We had to settle for watching him in his incubator. At least he was still alive."

Tests later revealed that Levi did not have any genetic abnormalities. However, he had difficulty swallowing, so he was fed through a tube three times a day. After ten days, Catherine was finally allowed to hold her tiny son for the first time. She said, "The emotions overwhelmed me. It was the most amazing feeling to finally have him in my arms. He was so small and fragile, which made me worry even more when he was with me."

In December 2011, Levi finally came home. However, he had to return to the hospital multiple times for several surgeries. At three months old, he underwent a procedure to close three holes in his heart. In January 2013, Levi needed surgery to address reflux. Catherine said, "Nothing seemed to defeat my little one. When we celebrated his first and second birthdays, it was such a big moment for us, such a milestone in his life. We even hung up a poster that read 'Big Miracle, Little Boy'."

Just two weeks after his second birthday, Levi was diagnosed with a heart infection. He was admitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital, where he battled for his life for the next five weeks. In January 2014, he underwent surgery to correct a twisted intestine. Catherine said, "He went through three more operations to fix reflux and his intestines. Such trials for such a tiny body. But my child continued to smile through it all."

Currently, Levi weighs 9 kilograms, the equivalent of a 12-month-old baby. His friends may be ahead of him in physical development, but this brave little boy doesn't lag behind in personal growth. His mother added, "He always smiles, and all his friends love him despite his struggles to keep up with them. Every time I pay with a 10-pound note, it reminds me of how small Levi was when he was born and how much he has changed since then."