Baby Was the Size of a Soda Can at Birth. Now Her Parents Are Getting Married on the Anniversary of Her Due Date

A Cleveland mom is sharing her story of giving birth to one of the smallest babies ever cared for at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

Miya Vidal was 21 when she learned she was pregnant with her first child in September 2024 — and when daughter Essence Pinkney arrived early the following February, she weighed just 12 oz., about the same as a standard soda can.

“She was so tiny, and I didn’t know that a baby could survive being that small,” says Vidal, now 22.

Five months later, after what she describes as a “roller coaster” stay in the neonatal intensive-care unit, Essence was finally able to go home with Vidal and her fiancé, Rufus Pinkney.

During her pregnancy, Vidal learned her baby had intrauterine growth restriction, meaning the baby’s estimated weight had fallen below the 10th percentile for her gestational age.

When Vidal was 22 weeks pregnant, doctors discovered the low weight was caused by a condition called umbilical vein varix, which occurs when the flow of blood and oxygen through the umbilical cord is restricted.

Vidal was admitted to the hospital for monitoring and, two weeks later, she began to show signs of preeclampsia as her blood pressure started spiking.

Doctors then performed an emergency cesarean section — and moments after her daughter was born, Essence was transferred to intensive care.

For the next 153 days, doctors and nurses cared for Essence around the clock, working to address various complications she faced, including respiratory failure and a collapsed lung.

Mohsen Farghaly, a neonatologist who treated Essence, says the baby had “paper thin” skin and was “incredibly fragile” after she was born.

“Because of her size, even the most basic medical care required the most extraordinary precision,” Farghaly explains, later adding, “Every heartbeat was a triumph, every gram of weight she gained was a victory.”

Meanwhile, Vidal and Rufus, 22, used the hospital’s library to borrow children’s books and read to Essence. They also sang songs and played classical music to soothe her — and leaned on their faith.

“Me and dad, we are heavily believers in God, so we constantly pray or we bring in family into our NICU and have them pray over [her],” says Vidal, a stay-at-home mom.

Finally, in July, Vidal and Rufus, who make T-shirts for Amazon, were able to bring Essence home; by then, she was almost 5 lbs. heavier.

On their way out, dozens of doctors and nurses gathered in the halls to cheer the family on.

Vidal says life with Essence has been “amazing.” She even does things in therapy that are “past her adjusted age for a preemie.”

“She grows so fast and it’s so amazing to watch her be this miracle baby who didn’t have such a high chance at survival,” the mom says. “She’s talking, she’s cooing, she’s trying to laugh.”

In addition to gaining more weight, Vidal says that Essence has quite the little personality. “She has a fiery spirit,” the mom shares, adding, “She’ll be smiling one minute and then the next minute she’ll give you a little face.”

Essence’s original due date will still hold special meaning to her parents, who are set to get married one year later: May 25, 2026.

“It’s a special day for us,” Vidal says.