Newlyweds Become Parents When Baby with ‘Fighting Spirit’ Arrives at 22 Weeks, Weighing Just Over 1 Lb.

• Baby Mira was born at 1 lbs., 3 oz. — and she arrived just 12 days after her parents got married
• dr. Mark Brisso, a neonatologist and medical director of the NICU at Bryan Medical Center, says that when Mira was born, her chances of survival were less than 50%
• Thankfully, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE that Mira is doing well as she continues to recover and grow during her stay in intensive care

The newlyweds from Nebraska became parents less than two weeks after their wedding when their daughter gave birth four months early.

Baby Mira was born at just 22 weeks and five days, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE. “She’s tough,” he says.

dr. Mark Brisso, a neonatologist and medical director at Bryan Medical Center’s NICU, says Mira weighed 1 lbs., 3 oz. when she was born – and that based on her pregnancy and weight, her chances of survival were less than 50%.

Thankfully, her dad says Mira is doing very well now as she continues to thrive in the NICU.

Ben and Sara Urbach with baby Mira.

Courtesy of Ben Urbach

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Ben and his wife Sara, 26, who met on Tinder in 2020, got married on January 13. At first, the news of the pregnancy was “a surprise,” says Urbach, who says they decided to get married before they knew it.

But since they already had a set date, they decided to hold their wedding as planned. “Everything was fine,” says Ben, 36. “Nothing was too challenging.”

After the wedding, the couple went for an ultrasound scan at 2 pm on January 25. That’s when doctors discovered Sara had an incompetent cervix, which can cause premature labor and even miscarriage, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

“It started dilating when it shouldn’t have, and when it does, they try to wait and see what happens, but more often than not, the baby has to come out,” he says. At around 8 pm that night, baby Mira was born.

Ben Urbach with baby Mira.

Courtesy of Ben Urbach

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The sudden birth not only came as a shock to the couple, but even made history as one of the earliest births ever in Nebraska, according to ABC affiliate KETV and CBS affiliate KOLN.

In the weeks since, Ben says Mira — who is currently “on ventilation and nutritional support,” according to her doctor — has made great progress.

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Brisso agrees, saying she has “progressed in her care” and remains in “critical but stable condition.”

Mira is doing great in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bryan Health, dad Ben Urbach tells PEOPLE.

Courtesy of Ben Urbach

“Mira has a fighting spirit and our team can’t wait to watch her progress and achieve important milestones as she continues to grow!” Brisso says, noting that they expect him to remain in intensive care for about another 12-16 weeks.

Plus, she’s growing, according to her father, who says his daughter is up to 1 lbs., 10 oz.

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As he continues to recover in intensive care, some members of Ben’s family have started a GoFundMe fundraiser “to ease the stress for Ben and Sara,” since the cost of intensive care is $3,000 to $20,000 a day. As of Thursday afternoon, more than $17,000 had been raised.

Ben, who is looking forward to reuniting his family at home, tells PEOPLE that he worries about Mira’s recovery every day.

“There will be good days, there will be bad days,” he says. “And bad days are bad, but good days are good.”

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Source: HIS Education