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What happened to baby Jonah on General Hospital?


Baby Jonah’s story on General Hospital began when Maxie Jones learned she was pregnant. Maxie had slept with both Damien Spinelli and Levi Dunkleman around the time she conceived, so she was unsure who the father was. Maxie decided to pass the baby off as her boyfriend Nathan West’s, though she knew the baby could not be his biologically. When Maxie went into premature labor, the truth came out that Levi was actually the father. Maxie gave birth to baby boy Jonah prematurely. However, Jonah had a heart condition and tragically passed away shortly after birth. This led to much grief for Maxie and Levi and impacted many characters on the show.

When did Maxie learn she was pregnant?

Maxie first learned she was pregnant in early 2014. At the time, she was dating Nathan West but had recently slept with both Damien Spinelli and Levi Dunkleman right around the time she conceived. Maxie was distressed to learn she was pregnant and anxious about the paternity of the baby.

Who were the potential fathers of Maxie’s baby?

There were three potential fathers of Maxie’s baby when she first learned she was pregnant:

  • Damien Spinelli – Maxie’s ex-boyfriend who she still cared for deeply
  • Levi Dunkleman – Maxie’s eccentric roommate who she had a brief fling with
  • Nathan West – Maxie’s boyfriend at the time she learned she was pregnant

DNA tests later confirmed that Levi was indeed the biological father of the baby.

Why did Maxie plan to pass the baby off as Nathan’s?

When Maxie first learned she was pregnant, she decided she would pass the baby off as Nathan’s, even though she knew Nathan could not actually be the father. Maxie made this choice for a few key reasons:

  • She loved Nathan and wanted to build a family with him
  • She was afraid Nathan would leave her if he knew the baby wasn’t his
  • She disliked Levi and didn’t want him involved in her child’s life
  • She still had feelings for Spinelli and felt having his child would complicate things

Though morally questionable, Maxie felt this was the best choice for the baby’s future at the time.

When did Maxie go into labor?

Maxie went into premature labor in August 2014 while attending a benefit party at the Metro Court Hotel. At the time, she was about 7 months pregnant.

What caused Maxie’s premature labor?

Maxie’s labor was brought on by sudden dizziness and pain. It was later determined that the cause was likely stress-related. Maxie was under immense stress at the time trying to keep the baby’s paternity a secret and maintain her relationship with Nathan. The guilt, anxiety, and physical strain of the pregnancy ultimately caused her body to go into labor early.

How did the truth come out about the baby’s paternity?

Right after Maxie went into labor at the Metro Court, Nathan rushed her to the hospital. While in the delivery room, Levi showed up demanding to know if he was the father. At this point, with Maxie in distress, Spinelli spoke up and revealed to Nathan that there was a chance the baby could belong to him or Levi.

How did Nathan react to this news?

Nathan was shocked and angered to learn his girlfriend had lied to him for months about the paternity of the baby. However, with Maxie in danger he knew it wasn’t the time to address the betrayal and remained focused on her care.

When was baby Jonah born?

Baby Jonah was born on August 18, 2014 at General Hospital. He was delivered prematurely at just 28 weeks. Maxie gave birth via emergency c-section as Jonah was under distress.

What were the complications with Jonah’s birth?

Jonah was born extremely premature, so he had many medical issues and complications:

  • Low birth weight – Just 2lbs 3oz at birth
  • Respiratory distress – Struggled to breathe on his own
  • Underdeveloped lungs – Required oxygen and ventilator support
  • Heart murmur – Had a PDA heart defect that required surgery
  • Jaundice – Needed phototherapy treatment
  • Infection risk – Due to underdeveloped immune system

Due to his prematurity, Jonah had to remain hospitalized in the NICU to receive treatment.

When did the DNA test confirm Levi as the father?

Shortly after the birth, paternity tests were performed to determine whether Levi Dunkleman or Damien Spinelli was the biological father.

Potential Father DNA Test Result
Levi Dunkleman Positive – Confirmed as biological father
Damien Spinelli Negative – Excluded as biological father

The test results came back on August 21st, 2014, confirming Levi was indeed the baby’s father.

How did Nathan react to the test results?

Though heartbroken, Nathan chose to support Maxie through this devastating news rather than admonishing her. He understood Maxie felt compelled to lie because of the deep love they shared. Nathan remained by Maxie’s side as she coped with the traumatic birth and loss of the child that was never actually his.

What was baby Jonah’s condition in the NICU?

Baby Jonah was in extremely critical condition during his time in the NICU. Though doctors did everything they could, his underdeveloped organ systems were failing.

What treatment did Jonah receive?

Jonah received intensive round-the-clock treatment including:

  • Respiratory support via mechanical ventilator
  • Oxygen therapy
  • IV fluids and nutrition
  • Surfactant therapy to aid lung function
  • Antibiotics to prevent infection
  • Heart surgery – PDA ligation to repair heart defect
  • Jaundice phototherapy
  • Incubator for warmth

Despite doctors’ efforts, Jonah’s prognosis was very poor due to his extreme prematurity.

What was the cause of baby Jonah’s death?

Baby Jonah died on August 25th, 2014, just one week after his birth. The cause of death was determined to be respiratory failure resulting from extreme prematurity and underdeveloped lungs. Jonah’s lungs simply could not provide enough oxygen to his body, despite mechanical ventilation and other measures. His underdeveloped immune system also made him susceptible to infections his body could not fight off. The combination of these issues overwhelmed his fragile body.

Did Jonah’s heart defect contribute to his death?

Doctors do not believe Jonah’s heart defect played a direct role in his death. Though he had a PDA defect that required surgery, it was successfully repaired and did not immediately impact his respirations. However, his heart may have been strained due to low oxygen levels. So while not a direct cause, it may have been a contributing factor.

How did Maxie and Levi react to losing baby Jonah?

Losing their infant son was incredibly painful for Maxie and Levi. Though their relationship was strained, they grieved together over their tragic loss.

How did Maxie cope with Jonah’s death?

Maxie was heartbroken after Jonah’s death. She struggled with immense guilt over not providing her son a safe environment to grow in the womb. She initially pushed people away, including Nathan, believing she deserved to suffer alone. Over time, with support from Nathan, Spinelli, and others, Maxie slowly began to heal. However, she continued to grapple with the emotional aftermath of losing a child.

How did Levi handle Jonah’s death?

Levi was shocked and devastated over losing a son he never got to know. He initially tried to find someone to blame, including Maxie’s doctor, but soon realized the tragedy was no one’s fault. Levi immersed Jonah’s ashes at sea in a private ceremony. Before leaving town, he and Maxie found some closure over their shared grief.

How did Nathan support Maxie after losing Jonah?

Though Maxie lied to him for months and betrayed his trust, Nathan remained a constant source of support after she lost Jonah:

  • He comforted Maxie at Jonah’s memorial service
  • He made arrangements for Jonah’s burial
  • He accompanied Maxie to therapy sessions
  • He reminded Maxie to be kind to herself
  • He defended Maxie against those judging her choices
  • He gave her space when she needed it

Nathan’s patience, forgiveness, and commitment to Maxie enabled her to gradually heal.

What impact did Jonah’s death have on other characters?

Baby Jonah’s death resonated through the Port Charles community and impacted many characters beyond just Maxie and Levi:

Lulu Falconeri

Lulu had just suffered a similar loss – her own infant son Ben had died shortly after birth. Lulu and Maxie became a source of support for each other in their shared grief.

Dante Falconeri

Dante struggled seeing his wife Lulu in pain after their own tragedy. Supporting Maxie gave Lulu a helpful distraction and renewed purpose.

Damien Spinelli

Spinelli felt immense guilt, believing if he had known the baby could be his, he would have urged Maxie to take better care of herself during pregnancy.

Diane Miller

As Maxie’s lawyer, Diane worried Maxie could face criminal charges related to covering up Jonah’s paternity. She was relieved when no charges were filed.

Felicia Jones

Maxie’s mother Felicia was extremely concerned for Maxie’s well-being after losing a grandchild she never got to meet. However, Felicia also related as she had suffered infant loss herself.

Conclusion

The tragic story of baby Jonah’s brief life and death was heartbreaking for General Hospital fans. While devastating for Maxie and Levi personally, it also resonated through the entire show, reminding viewers how fragile life can be. Jonah’s memory lived on through those he impacted in his short time on earth. In the end, the loss brought the characters closer together in support of one another during immense grief. Through their shared bonds, they found the strength to continue living, loving, and learning from the tragic experience.