Christmas cheer for Miracle Maci born 14 weeks early
Little Maci Marusarz was not supposed to be born in 2020 and will spend her first Christmas at a neonatal ward, but mum says she’s growing stronger by the day.
Tasmania
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LITTLE Maci Marusarz should have been celebrating her first Christmas next year.
But the tiny tot will instead be doted on by her family tomorrow at the Royal Hobart Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit after she was born 14 weeks early on September 29.
The now 12-week-old weighed about the same as a Christmas pudding or a jar of pickles when she was born at just 895 grams.
With a due date of January 5, 2021, Maci's mother Tahlia Evans went into labour in September without realising what was happening and was rushed to emergency for a C-section.
“I was terrified,” Ms Evans said.
“The nurse sat next to me, held my hand and talked me through everything that was happening.”
Two days after her birth, Ms Evans was able to hold Maci for the first time.
“She was bright red and had tubes everywhere and had a breathing mask on, it was very confronting,” she said.
“Her hand was like a 50 cent piece.
“They put her on my chest and I just sat there holding this tiny little thing only 30cm long.
“I just didn’t want to move because I thought she’d break, she was so small.”
At three weeks old, Maci opened her eyes.
Her personality soon shone through as nurses discovered she was “feisty”.
“She would fight them every time they went to change her (breathing) mask and when they tried to change her nappy,” Ms Evans said.
“I’ll have my work cut out for me when she’s a teenager.”
Maci has been a ray of light for the family who have seen their fair share of tragedy this year, with Ms Evans visiting Maci every day in hospital.
“We’ve had five family funerals in the months since she’s been born,” Tahlia said.
“COVID-19 going on put a spanner in everything – but she has added a light at the end of the tunnel and something to look forward to.”
Two weeks ago, Maci began bottle feeding. She is expected to be discharged from hospital on Monday.
Tahlia hopes to celebrate Maci’s transfer to the Blackmans Bay family home holding the baby shower she never got to have and spending quality time with her partner and two young sons.
Ms Evans will also take some time off from her bartending job at Oyster Cove Inn to settle Maci in at home.
The family will spend the morning of December 25 with baby Maci, bringing presents for her first Christmas before heading to their family shack for the weekend, ready to take her home when they return.
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