NBA star J.R. Smith, 31, and his wife Jewel Harris welcomed their 3rd daughter 5 months prematurely.
The couple shared the sad news in a video uploaded to Uninterrupted.com on Saturday. “We’ve got very important news,” Smith said at the beginning of the video.
Jewel, who married the Cleveland Cavaliers star in August, said, “Hi, everybody. We decided to share with the world what’s been going on with our family the past five days. We know a lot of you guys congratulated us on the expectancy of our little baby girl, but we had her five months early. She’s five days old today and her name is Dakota and she weighs one pound.”
She continued, “We know we’re not the only family going through this, who has been through this, and who will ever go through it. That’s why we decided to share what we’re going through with you guys. Please keep us in your prayers and we’ll do the same for everyone else.”
Jewel and J.R. have 7-year-old daughters, Demi Smith and Peyton Rose Smith.
Infants who are born prematurely are usually diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome because they lack a substance in the lungs called surfactant.
Surfactant is a milky liquid produced by the lungs that keeps the airway open and prevents the tiny air sacs (alveoli) inside the lungs from collapsing.
Doctors can introduce artificial surfactant into the lungs through a tiny breathing tube. The chances of survival are slim for babies born in the 2nd trimester.
Thanks to loyal reader Lovezoe for the tip.
