Jess Dunne and Christian Schott hold their baby, Nova Rae Schott, at their Cutchogue home Monday evening. Nova Rae was born weighing just 1 pound, 3 ounces. (Credit: Madison Fender)
Jess Dunne doesn’t remember much about the day she gave birth to her daughter, Nova Rae Schott. It was Aug. 31, nearly three months before her due date. Her blood pressure was at what doctors termed “stroke level,” so she was given an epidural to prepare for a C-section that would bring her baby into the world 12 weeks before she was supposed to arrive. A team of 30 doctors and members of the neonatal intensive care unit were in the room as Ms. Dunne struggled through a haze of nerves and panic, trying to stay calm. Her partner, Christian Schott, was processing the same emotions as the doctors delicately brought Nova Rae forth into the world, weighing just 1 pound, 3 ounces.