BRIDGE CITY, Texas — A tiny Bridge City baby born at 24 weeks weighing a little more than a pound is fighting to survive.
When Blakely Bouget was born on May 24, 2019, she weighed 20 ounces and doctors told her parents, Blake and Maddison, that her chance of survival was less than one percent.
"Doctors had told us her chance of survival was as close to zero as zero could get," Maddison Bouget told 12News.
Maddison went to the doctor on May 24 for what she thought was a rash, but it turned out to be pre-eclampsia. It's a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, sometimes with fluid retention and proteinuria.
Maddison was transported from CHRISTUS Hospital St. Elizabeth to The Woman's Hospital of Texas in Houston.
Micro-preemie fights for her tiny life
At the Houston hospital, doctors told the couple Maddison had to deliver or she may not make it.
"The had come in and told us that at point they were more okay with delivering the baby and losing one person instead of losing two," Maddison Bouget said.
Maddison delivered via c-section. Baby Blakely was depiverd after only 24 weeks of gestation.
She is considered a micro-preemie.
According to the Medical Director of the NICU at Baptist Hospital, Dr. Snehal Doshi, a micro-preemie is a baby born more than 10 weeks early and weighing less than two and a half pounds.
Baby Blakely was born at just one pound and four ounces.
The first three days after her birth her health seemed to improve. Doctors told the Bougets it's considered the honeymoon phase.
On day four and five, Blakely's health began to decline.
Maddison said out of 10 doctors, only one gave them an option to try an experimental steroid.
Within 24 hours of taking the drug, the couple says Blakely's health began to improve and it's been making leaps and bounds since.
The Bougets want to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this time. They are asking for continued prayer that baby Blakely will overcome each obstacle she faces.
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Blake set up a Facebook page, Praying for Blakely Paige Bouget, for people to follow Blakely's journey. In just two days it had more than 5,000 followers.
Blakely's health continues to improve. Doctors told the Bougets to take it day by day.
The couple is not focusing on the hard times ahead, instead, savoring each moment they have with their little miracle.
If she is healthy, baby Blakely will get to go home in September.