Imagine a baby being born just one inch longer than a Barbie doll.  This baby would have had to be born premature.

According to the March of Dimes foundation, over half a million babies are born premature every year in the United States. 

Sophomore Kaylee Fechter was one of these babies.  She was born nearly three months early.

When were you supposed to be born and when were you actually born?
“I was supposed to be born on Dec. 6, 1994.  September 19, 1994 [is my actual birthday.]”

How much did you weigh and how long were you when you were born?
“I weighed 1 pound, 9 ounces and I was 13 inches long, so about the size of a Barbie doll.”

How long were you in the hospital after you were born?
“Close to 70 days.”

What complications do you have now because you were born premature?
“I don’t really have any complications, just that I’m just short.”

How tall are you today?
“I’m five feet exactly.  The doctors said that I wouldn’t hit five foot, but I proved them wrong.”