Baby Girl Born at 1 Pound, 5 Ounces Finally Heads Home After Nine Months in NICU

A Louisiana girl is finally going home after staying the first nine months of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Baby Girl Born 1 Pound, 5 Ounces Finally Discharged from Hospital

Margo, the youngest kid of Savanna and Daniel Buller, was released from Children's Hospital New Orleans on Tuesday. To honor her extraordinary recovery, the hospital staff organized a special event for the 9-month-old.

Savanna Buller, Margo's mother, expressed, "I keep feeling like I'm in a dream, constantly pinching myself! It's unbelievable that we're finally taking our baby home today. The journey has been remarkably lengthy, and we're overjoyed to have Margo back with her siblings. We're eagerly looking forward to the summer and the much-needed family time as a family of six!"

Having four children, Savanna says she never had any problems with pregnancies. Her preeclampsia deteriorated during her pregnancy with Margo, prompting doctors to suggest early delivery.

The birth of Margo at Lake Charles Memorial Clinic for Ladies occurred on August 14, 2023, just after 25 weeks, where her mother, Savanna (who is a labor and delivery nurse), was present. Margo's weight at birth was 1 pound, 5 pounds.

A month later, Margo was transferred to Level 4 at Children's Hospital New Orleans. Dr. Jessica Zagory, a pediatric surgeon at the hospital, started treating Margo upon her arrival on September 10, 2023.

"She started to deteriorate about three weeks into her NICU stay [at Lake Charles], and the neonatologist suspected she had necrotizing enterocolitis, so they sent Margo to Children's Hospital New Orleans," Zagory said.

Margo required multiple treatments for this life-threatening intestinal condition, where bacteria can cause the intestinal lining to inflame and die.

"[Premature babies like Margo] have a compromised intestinal barrier, allowing bacteria to proliferate and penetrate the protective membrane," Zagory explained.

Buller Family Thrilled to Bring Their Baby Girl Home

Initially, the doctors tried less invasive treatments, but when Margo didn't respond, they had to attempt other surgeries, waiting for her to become stronger for further operations.

"Margo has defied the odds repeatedly. We've been told several times that things didn't look good, but we're going to keep fighting with her," Savanna Buller recalled. "And every time ... she's amazed us."

Savanna and Daniel Buller took turns caring for Margo in the hospital and stayed at the Ronald McDonald House temporarily.

Currently, Margo will be reuniting with her parents and three older siblings in Lake Charles. The Bullers couldn't be happier to welcome their youngest home.

Savanna Buller says that even medical professionals describe her as a miraculous baby. From a nursing perspective, it's hard to comprehend the medical explanation behind it.

"Remarkably, she's still here, and to see the hurdles she's overcome, I'm fair astounded." Zagory also finds it fulfilling to see Margo not just survive but recover remarkably.

"One of the best parts about Margo's story is its success so far, thanks to a true team effort," Zagory said. "I'm hopeful she'll have a very normal outcome, which is not always the case for many of our babies with this condition."