John Budd McClinton, affectionately known as Buddy, was released from the Methodist Women’s Hospital NICU on Dec. 29. Despite being born on Labor Day weighing only 14.1 ounces and measuring 9.65 inches, Buddy is now the smallest surviving baby at the hospital.
For Buddy’s parents, Ashley and John McClinton, the homecoming was a bittersweet moment, as they had previously lost another child at birth.
Ashley was initially concerned about the early delivery when her doctors informed her on Sept. 4. She had been hospitalized for severe pre-eclampsia, a complication associated with high blood pressure during pregnancy, and her baby, Buddy, wasn’t growing as expected.
Ashley had hoped to remain in the hospital for another 10 weeks of pregnancy but had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section after doctors discovered Buddy was not doing well. The loss of their previous child added to the fear and anxiety Ashley felt during this time.
However, Buddy surprised everyone when he was born at just 24 weeks and two days, weighing 14.1 ounces and displaying signs of life. His parents took this as a positive sign that he would fight to survive.
After a challenging 116-day journey, Buddy finally left the hospital on Dec. 29 to be with his family at home in Lincoln. Remarkably, he required minimal support, only receiving a small amount of oxygen through a tube under his nose. He had already passed 8 pounds in weight.
Ashley and John McClinton not only feel immense joy in having their son home, but they also want to inspire hope in others struggling with infertility. Their message is to never give up, even when the path to parenthood seems difficult. Their journey involved years of trying, in vitro fertilization, and the devastating loss of their first child.
Now, they hope that Buddy’s story will encourage others to persevere and believe in the possibility of starting a family, no matter their challenges.
Medical professionals, including Dr. Carolyn Maud Doherty, played a crucial role in helping the McClinton family throughout their infertility journey. Dr. Chinyere Oarhe, one of Buddy’s neonatologists, ensured his survival through intubation, medication, and procedures like closing a hole in his heart.
Despite being born prematurely at just 24 weeks, weighing only 400 grams, Buddy’s repeated brain ultrasounds remained clear, indicating no bleeding. Even Dr. Oarhe jokingly suggested that Buddy could become a doctor himself.
The largest struggle for Buddy was learning to eat and coordinate swallowing, sucking, and breathing. However, he eventually mastered this skill and went home shortly after his original due date, weighing more than 6 pounds.
Although Buddy’s hospitalization had its ups and downs, the moments of watching him thrive outweighed the challenging times. Both parents were dedicated, making countless trips between Lincoln and Omaha to be by his side.
Buddy’s story is a testament to the resilience and exceptional care the medical team provides. The McClinton family is grateful for the support they received and cherishes the positive outcome achieved against all odds.
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