After an arduous journey that saw her spend nearly a whole year in hospital, Calliope, a baby born at just 22 weeks, is finally heading home to celebrate her first birthday. Parents Ashley DeTar Birt and Emily DeTar Birt are keen to welcome their little girl back to her family home after 362 days of hospital care, a testament to her resilience and bravery.
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Calliope was born on May 17, 2025, weighing less than a pound, equivalent to the size of a can of soda. Her early arrival was fraught with complications, and her parents initially faced their own challenges before even conceiving her. Ashley had undergone several rounds of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), while Emily carried the fertilised embryo. The road to parenthood was not an easy one; the couple experienced a number of hardships, including bleeding and amniotic fluid loss during Emily’s first and only pregnancy.
The day Calliope was born was particularly tough for Emily, who reportedly felt unwell due to constipation and gas. However, what started as mild discomfort turned serious, leading her to a New York City emergency room, where she learned that she was in early labour. “The doctors told me, ‘This is 22 weeks and three days. I’m so sorry. This just sometimes happens. We don’t know why,’” Emily recollected. With an early delivery became a stark reality, the doctors immediately took action to save Calliope upon her birth.
The initial days were critical, as Calliope faced several medical complications. She was treated for breathing difficulties and other health issues, including severe problems that put her at a real risk of losing her life. “At one point, her breathing issues became severe. We almost lost her,” Ashley recalled. Due to a lack of oxygen, Calliope also experienced some brain complications, a challenge the family would face throughout the year.
Despite these enormous challenges, Calliope demonstrated remarkable fortitude. After spending more than 250 days in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in New York City, she was transferred to Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla. During her time at Blythedale, Calliope received extensive treatments, including feeding therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. “We got to play with her during physical therapy and enjoy sensory time,” Emily explained. “It created a lovely in-between life for us—somewhere between complete hospital care and going home.”
Calliope thrived and grew stronger over time. Now weighing 11 pounds, she is ready to settle into a home environment with her parents. Ashley and Emily are excited to start creating cherished family traditions, such as taking Calliope to see the New York Liberty play, and are eagerly anticipating her first birthday celebrations.
Reflecting on their journey, Ashley expressed her pride in her daughter: “We did everything we could to get her here, but at the end of the day, this tiny little baby made every choice possible to be here and fight with us. She is so tough and so strong.” Emily added that she wanted Calliope to know how incredibly loved she has been during her hospital stay: “There wasn’t a day she wasn’t loved—by her nurses, her doctors, and everyone who prayed for her.”
As Calliope approaches her first birthday, her family is thrilled to finally bring her home, where she will be surrounded by love and support. This milestone not only marks a new chapter for Calliope but also highlights the extraordinary resilience shown by both her and her parents throughout their challenging journey.