A record-breaking baby born who was born at Mater Mothers' Hospital at just 22 weeks and six days' gestation has gone home to share her first Christmas with her doting parents.
Daisy Hart, who weighed just 499g at birth – less than a tub of butter – is the first premmie born at Mater under 23 weeks to safely go home.
First-time mum Ebony Goddard, 20, and partner Jeromy Hart, 22, said Daisy spent more than 150 days in two Queensland hospitals battling to survive.
The couple from Crestmead, in Logan, said they were "overjoyed" their miracle baby girl is finally home.
When Daisy was born at Mater Mothers' on 27 June she was so tiny she could fit in the palm of her father's hand.
She spent two weeks in Mater's Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) before being transferred to the adjoining Queensland Children's Hospital for surgery on her bowel and brain.
"So many times I thought my little girl wouldn't survive, but thanks to the team at Mater and Queensland Children's Hospital she is here," Ms Goddard said.
"To know she is the earliest surviving baby born at Mater Mothers' is something the hospital team should be so proud of – we certainly are."
Daisy was born premature due to Ms Goddard having a shortened cervix.
"When I got to hospital after my water broke doctors could already see Daisy was about to make her entrance," Ms Goddard said.
"She is lucky to be here and to be alive."
Ms Goddard said Daisy's journey was difficult from the very start and watching her daughter undergo four surgeries was "heartbreaking".
"She was 10 days old when she had her first surgery to fix her bowel and needed two more to continue the repair," she said.
Daisy also needed major surgery on her brain after having two bleeds which caused fluid to build up.
Ms Goddard described her daughter's journey as a "rollercoaster".
"The first time we got to hold Miss Daisy was when she was four days old," she said.
"I was scared at first because of how little she was and all the cords and machines that were connected to her.
"But the best feeling in the world was holding my little miracle.
"We knew she had it in her to keep fighting, I wasn't giving up."
Mater Director of Neonatology Dr Pita Birch said it was amazing to be a part of the multidisciplinary team that worked to save baby Daisy's life.
"Daisy is the most premature baby ever born at Mater to survive and go home," Dr Birch said.
"Advances in technology and having Mater medical experts by her side every step of the way was what gave Daisy a chance of survival.
"She is proof that Mater is leading the way in caring for Queensland's most fragile babies.
"Seeing babies like Daisy go home to their parents is a magical moment for everyone who works in Mater's NCCU."
Dr Birch said Daisy had endured some setbacks, and may face some ongoing movement and learning issues as she gets older, but her growth and strength had been impressive.
Daisy spent more than five months in Mater Mothers' and Queensland Children's Hospital before going home at the end of November.
"The day we brought Daisy home was the best day of my life," an emotional Ms Goddard said.
"Finally, I have my little princess home before Christmas – that was my goal through this journey.
"We will be celebrating Christmas with Daisy meeting all of her family and friends."
Ms Goddard said Daisy was a "strong and beautiful little fighter".
"She inspires me every day with the strength and determination," she said.
