Webcam Connects Baby Born 10 Weeks Early With Dad in Afghanistan

St. Jude Medical Center uses webcams in its neonatal unit

A Southern California hospital used technology to a member of the U.S. military on deployment in Afghanistan with his baby born 10 weeks earlier than expected.

Raelyn Absmeier was born a fragile two pounds, 13 ounces. Doctors said the road ahead for her looks good but it will be a long road.

Raelyn will likely be at St. Jude Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a couple of months.

As she grows, her mother can only touch her occasionally. But her father, Jacob Absmeir, cannot touch her at all.

Heโ€™s serving in Afghanistan, and was shipped out from Fort Collins, Colo., in March, before his daughter was born.

But even a world away, he can see her by logging on to his computer.

The hospital has 14 web-cams positioned at each baby bed. Those cameras are linked to the internet making these baby cams available anywhere.

Jacob said seeing his daughter makes it a little more real for him.

Raelynโ€™s mother said it has been difficult, but she is hopeful.

โ€œSometimes I break down but Iโ€™m trying to stay strong for her,โ€ she said.

So, the Absmeier family watches every breath: from Fullerton to Colorado to Afghanistan.

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