The birth of baby girl E'layah Faith Pegues is one of wonder and miracles. As one of the smallest babies in the world, her chances of survival were described by her doctors as slim to none.
However, her parents Eric and Megan Pegues were determined to bring her to the world.
According to the Charlotte Observer, E'layah was born last December weighing only 10 ounces and measuring 10 inches long.
"E'layah is our miracle baby girl," Megan shared, explaining that doctors initially "were trying to set us up for the possibility of her not living, and I wasn't accepting that."
The faith displayed by E'layah's parents really helped her thrive, since E'layah, who was nicknamed "Tater Tot" by the hospital staff, now weighs 5 pounds and 7 ounces.
For Dr. Andrew Herman, a neonatologist and chief medical officer at Levine Children's Hospital, E'layah's improving health and growth can be credited to a "combination of talent, perseverance and creativity" on the part of the medical team and her supportive family.
The only challenge E'layah faced at childbirth was prematurity. Herman said her organs and intestines still needed time to develop and mature. To make up for it, they gave her a "trickle" of breast milk every day and slowly increased the amount day by day.
That way, the baby had enough nutrition to grow without being overloaded with fluids. Now, E'layah can take an ounce of the formula by bottle at least eight times a day.
"Growth is her ticket out of here," Herman said. "I expect E'layah to have a wonderful life and to be a healthy kid."
When E'layah was finally big enough to go home with her parents, they felt both anxious and excited. "I want to know who she is. She is feisty," Megan told CBS News. "I'm ready to see what's in store."
