S'pore woman gives birth to 720g premature baby while on 'short holiday' in Vietnam, had to spend 3 months in hospital

A Singaporean couple’s holiday in Da Nang, Vietnam, took an unexpected turn when their daughter was born prematurely at just 27 weeks and one day, weighing a mere 720g.

After a gruelling 87 days in the hospital, the baby girl was finally discharged on June 22, 2026.

Expecting to give birth in S'pore

The Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children shared the family's journey in a Facebook post on Jun. 22.

The post featured a handwritten note from the father, identified as Chen.

He wrote that he and his wife were on a "short holiday" in Vietnam and had planned to return home to "wait for the arrival of our princess girl".

On Mar. 16, the night before their scheduled flight home, his wife suddenly felt uncomfortable and had to be admitted to the hospital.

She was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy complication marked by dangerously high blood pressure and signs of organ damage.

According to Vietnam Net, she also suffered from multiple fluid accumulations, low blood sodium levels, and suspected heart failure.

"Suddenly, we have to face life and death in a foreign country and communicating using only Google translate."

Miracle birth

While the standard treatment for severe preeclampsia typically requires immediate delivery, the medical team initially attempted to prolong the pregnancy to give the foetus more time to develop.

After two weeks of close monitoring, the fetus began showing signs of severe distress.

To save both mother and child, doctors made the critical decision to perform an emergency birth on March 27, reported Tuoi Tre News.

Born micro-prematurely, the 720g newborn immediately faced a host of complications, including respiratory distress, pulmonary hypertension, and neonatal infection.

She was placed on respiratory support right after birth and transferred to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The hospital described her survival as a miracle "forged by the unwavering dedication of the doctors and nurses" alongside the perseverance of her parents.

Discharge

During her almost-three-month stay in intensive care, the infant underwent a range of advanced treatments and constant monitoring.

After overcoming the most critical stage of her recovery, she was successfully weaned off mechanical ventilation.

She eventually transitioned to breathing on her own and was able to breastfeed naturally.

On Jun. 22, the baby was finally discharged from the hospital.

The hospital gave a fresh bouquet, a symbol of their heartfelt congratulations to the family.

They also wrote a parting blessing for the baby: "Wishing you abundant health, little one. May you grow up in peace and happiness."

"Always remember that from the very first days of your life, you have already been a brave warrior."