After being given a “zero percent” chance of survival by doctors, a mother’s unborn baby has defied the odds, earning the nickname “Baby Hulk” for her rare condition. Armani, the daughter of Chelsey and Blake Milby, was born with lymphangioma, a condition that causes non-cancerous growths in the lymphatic vessels. As a result, her upper torso and arms grew to an unusually large size, giving her the appearance of a tiny bodybuilder and prompting her mother to affectionately call her “Mini Hulk.”

Armani’s condition was diagnosed during her mother’s 17th week of pregnancy. At birth, she weighed 12 pounds, causing her mother’s pregnancy to draw questions from strangers who thought she was expecting triplets. Despite the bleak prognosis, Armani displayed remarkable resilience, surprising everyone in the delivery room by crying after being delivered via C-section at 33 weeks. Her father, Blake, was outside the delivery room, praying, while her mother, Chelsey, recalled being overwhelmed with fear and having a panic attack before the birth.

Upon hearing the initial diagnosis, Chelsey was heartbroken and devastated. She admitted she had never heard of the condition and was unsettled by the images she found during her research. She expressed her emotional turmoil, questioning why her child was afflicted when she had two other healthy children. However, her perspective shifted after Armani’s birth. When she finally laid eyes on her daughter, her overwhelming feeling was one of gratitude, and she confessed that her tears were no longer from fear but from shock and awe at the sight of her daughter.

Following her birth, Armani and her family were transferred to a specialized hospital in Cincinnati, where the baby began her recovery. Chelsey also shared that she experienced postpartum depression during this challenging time. She describes their journey as a “rollercoaster ride,” acknowledging the daily struggles but remaining determined to stay strong for Armani and her other two children.

The family remains full of hope for Armani’s future, as her condition has the potential to improve with upcoming surgical treatments. Already, some of the excess fluid has been drained from her arms, and her mother now affectionately calls her “Squishy.” Chelsey also notes that Armani is reaching developmental milestones, such as rolling over and attempting to say “momma,” which she sees as a sign of her excellent progress. The Milbys are committed to providing the best possible life for their “miracle” baby and celebrate her uniqueness every day.