A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 59
Getting ready to go home
Parent Story:
Simone and Baby Flynn
“
When l think about my time in the Special Care Nursery at the
Women’s and Children’s Hospital in South Australia, l have nothing but
love and admiration for the wonderful care our precious son received.
The nurses and staff there are nothing short of heroes in our family’s
eyes and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
Our son, Flynn, was born (while we were on holidays in Adelaide) at
9pm on April 25, 2010, the day before my birthday, at 30 weeks,
weighing 1.5kg. I woke on my birthday, April 26, to receive two A4
laminated posters - one was a photo and the other was Flynn’s
beautiful rainbow colour foot prints. My heart was bursting with love
and pride. A few more hours later, l got my best ever birthday present
– a kangaroo cuddle with my son!
As a result of the level of peace, respect and care that Flynn was
receiving in the SCN, l was able to leave the hospital after five days
knowing that he was in the best possible care. So with this mindset, l
began to listen and learn as much as l could from his care team. We
were encouraged and given every opportunity to be central in Flynn’s
care plan. l called after every single
night shift to get an update on his
progress. It was important to me to
dress Flynn as a ‘normal’ mummy
would and I would also read books
and sing nursery rhymes to him, all
while giving him a kangaroo cuddle.
Overall, our biggest concern with
Flynn in the hospital was that they
would try and convert him into
barracking for Port Adelaide but
we sent for reinforcements from home and soon came his Essendon
teddy bear!!
Throughout the journey, his neonatologist kept reassuring me that
by the time l took my baby home l would know him so well and how to
care for him. At first, l found that daunting and didn’t believe him, but
49 nights later l realised he was right!
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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