Birth of Premature Daughter Strands American Family in Dublin
Zoe Ireland Drake was born in Dublin at 25 weeks and weighing two pounds.Photo by: Herald.ie
Jenny Drake, and Husband Gavin were on a return Transatlantic flight from a work-related trip to Europe when she went into premature labor. At just 25 weeks and weighing a meager 2 pounds Zoe Ireland Drake was born. Now the family is stuck in Dublin Ireland until their daughter Zoe is strong enough to leave the hospital and take the return flight home. The Drake’s have a 3 year old son, Aiden, who is staying with his grandparents in Kentucky during this ordeal.
While Jenny and Gavin reside in Nashville, they will be unable to return home for quite some time giving the current condition of their premature daughter Zoe. Thankfully the plane was diverted and Jenny was able to give birth to Zoe 4 minutes after arriving at the hospital in Dublin, Ireland. A GoFundMe has been established to help the family cope with medical expenses as well as living abroad and away from their Optometry practice back in Tennessee.
Jenny quoted from GoFundMe page:
For those that don’t know, we had an eventful Saturday. We were flying home from Paris and I went into pre term labor at 25 weeks. They diverted the plane to Dublin, Ireland and 4 minutes after arriving at the hospital, our precious Zoe was born. She weighed 2 pounds and has proven to be a feisty little thing. She came off the ventilator today and is breathing well on her own. Please keep her and our family in your prayers as we have a long road ahead. We don’t have wifi at the hospital but I’ll try to keep everyone updated as much as possible.
Zoe has a very long road ahead of her as most preemies do. The whole family will one day be reunited, and Baby Zoe will be able to meet her older brother Aiden. Until then Jenny, Gavin, Zoe and Aiden will be in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery, reunification and UNEVENTFUL return home!
