A healthy Baby Iver was born Saturday evening, his proud father Dylan Benson confirmed Monday night.

“It was the most incredible experience of my life so far,” said an emotional Benson, 32. “He just looks perfect. I’ve never been more proud, and getting to hold him yesterday was something I will never forget and something I look forward to doing every day.”

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Benson announced in a Facebook posting the birth of his son, Iver Cohen Benson, and the death of his wife, Robyn, who was 22 weeks pregnant when she suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on Dec. 28 that left her brain-dead.

Robyn was placed on life-support, and doctors wanted to keep her alive until her 34th week of pregnancy. She held on as long as she could, Benson said.

“It’s earlier than we planned,” he said. “Over the past six weeks, we made life-changing decisions all the time. So we had hoped to get to week 30 before delivering, but we made it as far as we could. On Saturday, when Robyn was 28 weeks and one day, the time was right for us and for Iver.”

All the people closest to them were at Iver’s birth. Iver is being cared for in the neo-natal unit at Victoria General Hospital and, for the most part is doing well, said his father, who was able to hold Iver for the first time on Sunday.

Baby Iver is in “stable condition” today, according to the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

“It will certainly be a bumpy road ahead, as it is with any premature baby. Only time will tell when I will get to come home with him. It will depend on how healthy he will continue to be. They are doing their best to just give him the healthiest and most stress-free time that they can,” Benson said.

Iver, born at two pounds, 13 ounces, looks like a mixture of his mother and father. “He’s showing hints of Robyn’s red hair, not suprising. But I think he has my nose,” Benson said.

Is that good or bad?

“I’m kind of OK with my nose, so good I guess,” Benson laughed. “It could be worse.”

The young father is struggling to deal with the new joy in his life and the tragic, untimely death of his wife. “It’s more than I can explain,” he said. “It’s the best and the worst at the same time.”

Dylan and Robyn, who died on Sunday, were married on July 13, 2013. In his Facebook post, Benson said he said goodbye to the strongest and most wonderful woman he has ever met.

“I miss Robyn more than words can explain. I could not be more impressed with her strength, and I am so lucky to have known her. She will live on forever within Iver, and in my heart.”

Even though he has known what would happen for six weeks, Benson wasn’t prepared for Robyn’s death. “It’s been the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through.”

Benson’s friend Rod Phillips, who organized a donation drive to help with finances, said he was relieved Iver has been born healthy.

“This is a very difficult and bittersweet time for the family,” Phillips said. “It’s something most people can’t even imagine.”

But throughout this dark time, Benson has felt support from around the world, receiving messages from Ecuador, Spain and India — all corners of the globe.

“The actual support of people who care enough to message and donate has made all the difference in the world. I want to send a big thank you to everyone who has reached out and shown their care and love for us,” Benson said. “The community in Victoria has been amazing.... I don’t have the words to express the gratitude I have for this city.”

For now, Benson will go to the hospital and hold his precious son every day.

“I’ll be able to hold him and help him grow into the awesome individual I know he’s going to be.”

The Baby Iver Fund has raised about $145,000 as of Monday night. Benson said he will use the funds to provide the best life he can for his baby son, who has already lost his mother.

ldickson@timescolonist.com