Miracle baby turns three
April 11, 2025in News
Three years ago, baby Shiloh’s fight for life began in the most unexpected of places — her parents’ bathroom.
Born at just 23 weeks and one day, she defied the odds thanks to the incredible teamwork of Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedics, the Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval (PIPER) team and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).
Now a thriving three-year-old, Shiloh has been reunited with the first responders who helped save her life.
Shiloh and her parents, Adelyn and Shaun, reunite with the paramedics who helped save her life.
Adelyn, Shiloh’s mother, had been feeling unwell and having some unusual pains but was reassured following a hospital assessment. However, later that night, she unexpectedly went into labour and gave birth at home.
With her newborn daughter in her hands, Adelyn’s instincts as an ICU nurse took over.
“I knew something wasn’t right. Shiloh was breathing but struggling. I kept the umbilical cord attached for perfusion and started performing CPR with one hand while my husband provided breaths. We were desperately needing help,” Adelyn said.
Shiloh as a premature baby receiving critical care in the NICU.
Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic Shannan O’Leary-Colliver was first on scene and recalls the challenging and emotional case.
“When we arrived, it was clear that every second mattered. A baby born this prematurely in a home environment faces enormous challenges,” Shannan said.
“From the outset it was apparent that Shiloh needed urgent specialist care. Due to her prematurity, providing pre-hospital care was a significant challenge so we immediately contacted PIPER and worked as a team to stabilise her for transport.”
FRV crews were also on scene to assist. Senior Station Officer Kevin Ruys described the moment they arrived.
Shiloh as a baby.
“We walked into an incredibly intense situation. Shiloh was so tiny; the paramedics were doing everything they could to keep her alive. We ensured the baby was kept warm and assisted paramedics with the medical response,” Kevin said.
“It was clear just how critical this moment was for Shiloh’s survival, and this is a great example of how firefighters work with paramedics to respond to medical emergencies.”
The highly specialised PIPER team, which provides expert neonatal and paediatric emergency care in partnership with AV, offered critical guidance over the phone before taking over care at Casey Hospital.
Against the odds, Shiloh was intubated, stabilised and transported to Monash Children’s Hospital, where she spent the next five months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Shiloh with her mum and dad.
A/Prof Michael Stewart, Director Paediatric Infant and Perinatal Retrieval (PIPER), reflected on Shiloh’s remarkable survival.
“It’s an incredible job by the paramedics. We know babies born at 23 weeks can survive, but the circumstances of birth play a huge role in their outcome,” he said.
Shannan said Shiloh’s survival and recovery is testament to incredible advancements in neonatal care.
Shiloh giving one of her heroes a high-five.
“Babies born as early as Shiloh face incredible odds just to make it to hospital. Cases like this reinforce the importance of rapid intervention, collaboration and the evolving capabilities of paramedics and neonatal specialists,” Shannan said.
Having just celebrated her third birthday, Shiloh is thriving. Full of energy and curiosity, she has grown into a lively and determined little girl who loves dancing, playing outside and making people laugh.
“We are beyond grateful to the paramedics and the entire medical team. Without their expertise and quick actions, Shiloh wouldn’t be here today. She is our little miracle,” Adelyn said.
Shiloh’s survival was thanks to a team effort from Ambulance Victoria paramedics, the PIPER (Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval) team and Fire Rescue Victoria.