A California family had to be airlifted to Miami after a woman unexpectedly gave birth while traveling in Mexico.
The husband, his expectant wife and two kids never thought their vacation would end the way it did. The saga began when the expecting mother had to undergo an emergency C-section while in Cancun. She was six months along, but the baby came early in a foreign country.
Poppy Elizabeth Stewart was just 26 weeks when she was born premature in Mexico. Her parents started fighting against challenges the second she was born.
“Barriers we faced consisted of insurance, how we were going to get access to the country, we were faced with a lot of fees and we paid out of pocket,” said Jeremy Stewart, the father.
Poppy was born on April 6, weighing one pound and six ounces. Her father called it a “babymoon" after they decided to take their daughter Neri on vacation.
But Maggie was facing life threatening complications due to an infection in her uterus.
“I’ve never had a fear like that. I feel so blessed to have them both now,” said Jeremy.
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Jeremy had to leave his wife and daughter behind to bring Poppy to the United States. They had to arrange an air ambulance and get travel documents in a short period of time.
The family is from California but came to Miami’s Nicklaus Children’s Hospital where the baby is being cared for. Poppy is currently in critical condition.
"She has a hole in her heart. Her lungs are still fragile, she can’t breathe on her own,” said Jeremy.
Poppy will likely spend months in the hospital.
Financially, the family has been stretched thin. A GoFund Me page has been set up to assist them as they cling to hope for their little baby to have a long life ahead.
To contribute to their GoFund Me page, you can click here.
