After 134 days in the hospital, 22 week preemie goes home

Baby Aaron, who was born weighing just one pound, one ounce at 22 weeks gestation, has beaten the odds and was discharged from a Las Vegas hospital to his home with his mother. 

Key Takeaways:

• Thelma Hernandez, 39, brought home her son Aaron home after spending almost five months in the NICU at Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

• Studies show skin to skin contact known as Kangaroo Care is a “vital intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit."

The Details:

Thelma Hernandez was just 22 weeks pregnant when she gave birth to her son Aaron prematurely in February. Aaron was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas. At the time of his birth, the baby boy weighed just one pound, one ounce.

Despite the challenges of an extended NICU stay, Hernandez supported her newborn as best she could. An exclusive article in People Magazine explained, "Everyday she would arrive and care for him, changing his diaper and holding him while he was intubated and couldn't eat. As he improved, Hernandez was able to feed him during her visits to the NICU."

After nearly five months in the NICU, when Hernandez was told she could bring her baby home and that he was no longer going to need a feeding tube or oxygen, she was surprised and elated. “It’s a blessing,” she said. She expressed gratitude to her son’s care team who went above and beyond, even throwing Aaron a graduation party complete with cap and gown. Some of the nurses even came in to the hospital on their day off to celebrate Aaron's discharge. Hernandez said they treated him “like if it was their family”. 

Why This Matters:

The survival rates for premature babies has been significantly improving in recent years. A 2025 study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has revealed that both active medical treatment and the survival rate of babies born as early as 22 weeks are increasing. Between 2014 and 2023, survival among 22-weekers who received active treatment rose from 25.7% to 41% and rates of survival rose from 7.4% to 32% for babies born at 22 weeks who did not receive active treatment.

Babies born before 24 weeks are often denied medical care, because some doctors erroneously believe children this young are not able to be saved, or may have disabilities if they are saved. Some hospitals simply aren't equipped to help a baby born before 24 weeks. The organization TwentyTwoMatters created a map of hospitals willing and able to help these children.

Despite their viability, many states allow abortion through 24 weeks, and nine states and Washington, D.C. allow abortion through all 40 weeks of pregnancy. The most common abortion procedure in the second trimester is a D&E abortion, which involves dismembering the baby and crushing her skull. Many of these babies are old enough to survive outside the womb.

More Miracle Preemies:

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‘Little warrior’ baby born at 22 weeks placed in sandwich bag for warmth

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Preemie of the Week: Naomi, born weighing 364 grams, has inspired others to choose life