Beth and Rick Hutchinson of St Croix County, Wisconsin, were told there was no chance that their baby born at 21 weeks would survive, but last week the boy celebrated his first birthday — a miracle by anyone's standards. Not only has 1-year-old Richard Scott William Hutchinson thrived beyond his doctor’s expectations, but he’s also recently been inducted into the Guinness World Records for being the World’s Most Premature Baby.
Weighing only 11.9 oz, Richard was born on June 5, 2020.
Richard was born barely the size of a soup can, about one-tenth the size of a full-term newborn, about 131 days early, the Guinness World Records stated. His mom was supposed to go into labor on October 13, 2020, but medical complications forced her to go into labor almost four months early.
It was a heart-wrenching decision, but ultimately her doctors decided to deliver Richard and do all they could to sustain him.
"When Rick and Beth received prenatal counselling on what to expect with a baby born so early, they were given a 0% chance of survival by our neonatology team," explained Dr. Stacy Kern, the neonatologist at Children’s Minnesota who treated the infant.
"I knew the first few weeks of Richard’s life would be very difficult, but I felt that if he could make it through that, he would be a survivor,” she added.
Richard was rushed to the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.
Sadly, the infant would spend many firsts while in the hospital — such as July Fourth and his first Halloween. The pandemic made it impossible for the parents to stay with Richard overnight while he was in the hospital. Instead, they regularly made the trip from Wisconsin to Minnesota regularly to visit their boy.
“We made sure we were there to give him support," said his dad, Rick. "I think that helped him get through this because he knew he could count on us."
Richard isn’t the first preemie to receive distinction in the Guinness Book of World Records.
In 1987, James Elgin Gill was born at 21 weeks 5 days, or 128 days premature, to parents Brenda and James Gill in Ottawa, Canada. And in 2010, Yvonne and John Mangold gave birth to daughter Frieda Mangold at the same age.
The Hutchinsons are still in shock to be in such fine company, and the distiction is just another reason why they should celebrate their miracle son.
"We’re still surprised about it,” Beth explained. “But we’re happy. It’s a way we can share his story to raise awareness about premature births."
Richard was released from the hospital to go home at 6 months old.
It was an emotional day for the family — and his doctor.
“I remember picking him up out of his crib and just holding him with tears in my eyes,” Kern said, CNN reported.
"I couldn’t believe this was the same little boy that once was so sick, that I feared he may not survive,” she added. “The same little boy that once fit in the palm of my hand, with skin so translucent that I could see every rib and vessel in his tiny body. I couldn’t help but squeeze him and tell him how proud I was of him.
"I credit his miraculous survival to his wonderful parents who were there for him every step of the way and to the entire neonatology team at Children’s Minnesota,” Kerm continued. “It takes a village to care for and support these babies until the time they are ready to go home."
The couple has created a GoFundMe page to raise money toward Richard’s medical expenses, and his medical journey isn’t quite over.
Richard will still need to go to periodic checkups and needs “ a pulse oximeter machine and a pump for his feeding tube,” his mom explained.
"We are working on getting him off all of them, but it takes time. He has come a long way and is doing amazing,” she added.
The mom also encouraged other parents of sick or preemie babies to advocate for their kids as much as they can.
“Be nosey because it is your child, and you deserve to know what is going on,” she said.
Although Kern has probably seen more miraculous births than you or I could imagine, it’s clear that Richard’s birth left an impression.
"Richard is the youngest baby I have ever had the honour to care for. I feel so blessed and honoured that I was the neonatologist on service the week Richard was born. To be a part of his incredible story … I can’t even put into words how amazing that feels," she said.
"I think Richard’s story has inspired so many people around the world and I think we will all continue to learn from him," she continued. "Thank you, Richard, Beth and Rick for all you have taught us. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you."
