NQ parents Emma and Zachary welcome baby 60 days before due date

An NQ baby was small enough to fit inside her parents’ palm when she was born about 60 days before her due date. She’s spent every moment in hospital since.

Tiny bub Yohana is currently undergoing care in the Townsville Hospital's NICE ward.

A Cairns baby was small enough to fit inside her parents’ palm when she was born in Townsville about 60 days before her due date.

Emma and Zachary said baby Yohana has spent spent every moment since she was born in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

She is just one of 900 premature babies that Townsville University Hospital’s NICU staff care and nurture every year.

Her parents are speaking out on World Prematurity Day, November 17, to raise awareness and celebrate Townsville’s hospital.

Parents Zachary and Emma watch over their 'perfect' child.

“She was so tiny it was very frightening. We thank God every day that she is doing OK. And she is perfect.”

While mother Emma had experienced a preterm birth on a previous occasion, she was still wracked with nerves when told that Yohana would arrive ahead of schedule.

“We were very nervous but felt reassured after speaking to Dr Kristy from NICU,” she said.

“NICU is amazing and the care they give these babies is just unreal. We will always be

grateful.”

While the road has had challenges, both parents encouraged other families in their shoes to have faith throughout the difficult process.

Little Yohana has recently checked off a few important milestones including first eye test, her first sneeze and being weighed at one kilogram.

Tiny bub Yohana is currently undergoing care in the Townsville Hospital's NICU ward.

Townsville University Hospital’s neonatologist professor Yoga Kandasamy said it was a privilege to care for the early arrivals.

“We have a dedicated team which works around the clock caring for some of the smallest and sickest North Queenslanders,” Dr Kandasamy said.

“A preterm birth is a traumatic experience for any family, and we work hard to provide care to the parents as well as our little patients.

“Preterm babies can experience a number of complications including retinol and renal issues,

but if experience has taught me anything it is that they are the world’s greatest fighters.

“I would like to thank all of the staff in our unit this World Prematurity Day but mostly I salute the families and babies that we have the honour of caring for every day.”

Originally published as NQ parents Emma and Zachary welcome baby 60 days before due date