A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 90
TRIGGER WARNING: CONTENT MAY BE UPSETTING
Parent Story:
Natasha and twins, Aaron & Thomas
I was pregnant with twins when at 20 weeks it was discovered that
I was 3cm dilated and Thomas (Twin 1) had bulging membranes.
At 22 weeks and 3 days, I was transported 2 hours to the
Mercy Hospital where, if the boys were born at this early
gestation, they would stand a small chance of survival.
During one of our scans, we discovered we’d lost our
sweet little Angel Thomas in the same gentle and
quiet way he had lived his life—inside me. He was
born the next day quickly and quietly delivered into our
loving arms.
We were given 8 days to grieve the loss of our firstborn
baby boy before his brother decided it was his turn to meet us.
On June 27 at 3am I awoke with some cramping pain and discovered
I was bleeding heavily. After 7 hours of labour, my waters were broken
and Aaron was born wiggling and crying. Aaron (Twin 2) weighed a
tiny 748g and was born at exactly 25 weeks gestation.
I got to see my tiny little bear before I was whisked away for surgery to
remove any remaining placenta from Thomas. It was only afterwards
when I was taken to the NICU that I finally allowed myself to believe
he was alive. I held his tiny little fist in my hand and told him I loved him
through the isolette that would be his home for the next six weeks.
Living away from home, not being able to see any of our family due
to the Melbourne lockdown made our lives difficult. The normal ring
of support to help cope with losing a child and coping with a baby in
NICU was not there.
After almost 100 days in the NICU, Aaron was transferred back to our
hometown SCN. He celebrated his 100th day of life by coming off his
oxygen support. He was discharged from the hospital at 117 days old
and he is the happiest baby you will ever meet.
I understand how it feels when your world has been turned upside
down. This was not the journey you expected to be taking with your
new baby but remember to celebrate everything. One day this will all
be in the past but these were the days your baby fought the hardest.
They’re so important to remember!
“
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
87
