CHP Gives Premature Baby A Fighting Chance

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A premature baby has a fighting chance and his parents thank Children's Hospital for his improving condition.

Little Jacob Weyant has already overcome so much.

His perfect, fragile fingers alone are a miracle.

At just 36 1/2-weeks-old, Jacob would normally still be inside his mommy's belly.

Instead, the little boy from Hollidaysburg has spent the past two months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital.

He's one of 1,000 babies brought here every year.

"It was a little rough of a pregnancy and we kind of knew he may be premature," Jennifer Weyant said.

Jen and A.J. were high school sweethearts. On Oct. 5, Jennifer, was rushed to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital.

Something was going terribly wrong with her second pregnancy.

"To be honest, I was terrified, but the biggest thing was I wanted him to be okay," she said.

At his delivery by emergency C-section, Jacob weighed only 2-pounds-11-ounces.

At 2-days-old, with bleeding on his brain, Jacob was rushed to Children's Hospital and into an incubator in the NICU.

"It was pretty scary, but I've heard so many good things about this hospital that I was like, 'Okay, he's going somewhere he can really be taken care of,'" A.J. said.

Being born 13 weeks early puts you at a very high risk for lots of problems.

As with a lot of premature babies, Jacob has had some other challenges. There was a hole in his heart and problems with his eyes and stomach.

Jacob now weighs 5-pounds-9-ounces.

"He's in the right place, in the best hands. I've never met a group of physicians or nurses that are as incredible as these people," Jennifer said.

Hopefully, it won't be long before Jacob can join his 2-year-old brother Noah.

There will likely be more surgeries as Jacob develops, but his mom knows that if God's eye is on the sparrow, her Jacob will survive with faith and fight.

"He's very strong and I think if this is any indication of how the rest of his life's going to be, the world has a force to be reckoned with," she said.

To help Jacob and other children just like him, you can give during the 61st Annual Children's Hospital Free Care Fund Telethon.

The fund ensures that no child who needs medical care is denied it.

You can call in during the show on Thursday to donate, or donate online here: https://www.givetochildrens.org/freecare