Gloria Ramirez

“It is all possible,” said Gloria Ramirez, who could not believe she was taking her newborn home after 71 days in HCA Florida Osceola Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Gloria and her husband, Carlos, had been trying to have a baby when they learned Gloria had to undergo a surgical procedure to correct a life-threatening condition, with the risk of losing her uterus and never being able to conceive. The Erazo-Ramirez couple witnessed their first two miracles — Gloria’s uterus was preserved during the surgery and, only six months after the procedure, she was pregnant. However, at their 18^th week of pregnancy, the couple learned Gloria had placenta previa and other complications resulting in a high-risk pregnancy.

Gloria’s “It’s all possible in God” attitude comforted her through her bedrest. At 27 weeks pregnant, Gloria started to hemorrhage and both she and her baby’s lives were at risk. Gloria underwent an emergency cesarean section to deliver their third and yet most important of all miracles, baby Mia Kristelle, at 27 weeks’ gestation (normal gestation is 40 weeks), weighing a little over 2 pounds with lots of beautiful black hair.

After Mia’s birth, Gloria experienced a fourth miracle. When one of her arteries ruptured due to the pressure of the pregnancy, her team of specialists performed emergency surgery, saving her life.

“I am so grateful the medical team moved quickly in assessing what was going on and making the best decisions for me,” Gloria said. “It was all God’s miracles, one right after the other.”

Baby Mia, struggled a little bit with her oxygen and a few conditions not surprising for a preemie of her age and weight. “Every day was different,” said Mia’s dad, Carlos. “It was hard. She had good and bad days, but we both came to be with Mia almost every day.”

After 71 days of specialized care by the NICU Level 3 team, Mia was finally breathing on her own, strong and ready to go home — miracle number five!

When Gloria and Carlos proudly walked out of Osceola Hospital’s NICU with Mia in her car seat, they were surprised by the lines of hospital staff filling the lobby with cheers, claps and congratulations during Mia’s little Hero Walk! The family could not stop smiling and hugging their now extended family and friends.

“We will be in contact,” Gloria said. “I am thankful for our nurses and doctors, for their attention, care, patience and the love for what they do.”

Congratulations to our NICU Graduate!