Saba Ali, a resident of Dubai, anticipated a smooth pregnancy with her fourth child, similar to her previous experiences. However, at 24 weeks, she developed a persistent high fever, prompting her to visit Aster Hospital Sharjah. “I knew something was wrong,” she shared with Khaleej Times.
Arriving at the hospital around 6 am, she was shocked when doctors informed her of the need for an immediate delivery. “I was not prepared, and it was an emotional roller coaster,” Saba recalled. By 7:22 pm, she gave birth to baby Arsheen, who weighed just 700 grams and was swiftly moved to the NICU, where she remained for three months.
Dr. Abdul Majeed, a specialist in pediatrics and neonatology, noted the challenges: “Babies born at 24 weeks have a survival rate of 50%, depending on their condition at birth.”
Saba faced additional complications, including infection and postpartum hemorrhage, which required a transfusion of two pints of blood. “We were prepared for it and had enough blood on site,” said Dr. Jessica Fernandes, who managed Saba’s care.
The initial days were emotionally taxing for Saba. “I didn’t have the courage to see her,” she admitted. The family faced the difficulty of explaining to their older children why they couldn’t see or bring home their new sibling.
Visiting their daughter daily, it wasn’t until two months later that Saba and her husband could hold her for the first time. “By then, she weighed 1,700 grams,” Saba said. “I tried to keep my emotions in check to avoid stressing her.”
After three months, baby Arsheen was finally able to come home. Dr. Majeed explained the baby’s progress: “She was breathing well on her own and had gained enough weight.”
Now, Saba is vigilant in caring for her daughter. “I am scared to take my eyes off her,” she said. The family remains cautious, restricting contact to prevent infection. “The happiest person now is my husband,” Saba shared. “Every evening after work, he sanitizes himself and spends a long time playing with her. We are grateful to the doctors of Aster for their support.”
