The smallest baby ever to be born in Wales has completed an incredible journey and is now finally home after spending 18 months in hospital. Robyn Chambers made history in Wales when she was born on March 8, 2023, weighing just 11oz. Her mother, Chantelle, gave birth to Robyn at 23 weeks of pregnancy following a premature rupture of membranes. Doctors immediately placed Robyn in a special ‘sandwich bag’ to help keep her vital organs warm and began intensive care to support her fragile health. Despite the challenges, Robyn demonstrated tremendous resilience and survival instincts.
Robyn’s father, Daniel Chambers, described the numerous obstacles his daughter has faced during her 19 months of life. After finally being discharged three weeks ago, Robyn experienced the comfort of her home in Newport for the first time. Daniel and Chantelle expressed their gratitude for reaching this milestone, highlighting their joy of being able to enjoy outings and quality time together as a family. The Chambers family is cherishing every moment of normalcy and family life after the extraordinary circumstances they have endured.
Recalling Robyn’s birth, Daniel shared the challenges faced by medical staff due to her tiny size, with veins as small as a piece of string and hands no bigger than a fingernail. Despite her delicate condition, Robyn has demonstrated incredible strength and determination, overcoming severe health issues such as apnea, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and severe apnea. Her parents have been dedicated to her round-the-clock care, with training to manage and restore her breathing during apnea episodes.
Robyn has received treatment at both the Grange Hospital in Newport and the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital in Cardiff. The family faced a critical moment when Robyn developed an infection and required a ventilator, leading to a challenging period. With perseverance and hope, Robyn managed to overcome the odds, allowing the family to transition back to the Grange Hospital for further care before finally returning home.
In addition to caring for Robyn, Daniel established an Instagram page, @robyns_rainbow_story, to share her journey and raise awareness for other families navigating similar challenges. A fundraising initiative has also been set up to support the costs of Robyn’s equipment and therapies. The Chambers family remains grateful for the community’s support and the opportunity to create lasting memories at home with Robyn.