Four and a half years ago, our world was forever changed when, at just 25 weeks’ pregnant, our son Iwan made an early entrance into the world. Our tiny fighter began his battle for life in the neonatal intensive care unit and was given only a 17% change of survival.
Read MoreI am so incredibly proud to have shared my story and to have worked with so many others to bring about Neonatal Leave and Pay entitlements for parents of children born premature or sick.
Read MoreMy employer supported me hugely and gave me an additional three months’ leave at full pay to reflect the time between Alfie’s premature birth and his due date. Without it, I would have been forced to leave my job.
Read MoreWhy do I believe in these stickers so passionately? The answer is quite straightforward: they simplify a complex journey.
Read MoreI’m thrilled to share the journey that our team at Bright Little Stars in Stanmore has embarked on in achieving the Prem Aware Award.
Read MoreOur twins, Jakob & Lily-May, were born at 30 weeks and spent a long seven weeks in NICU following their premature birth. Recently, we celebrated their first birthday, happy and healthy, but it has been a long journey to get here.
Read MoreHello, I'm Jasmine, I'm 25 and I live in the West Midlands. In 1997 I was born 12 weeks premature, weighing 2lb (900g). My disabilities are dyspraxia and autism, which were both diagnosed very late when I was 16 years old.
Read MoreMy name is James Joseph Buckley and I was born at 23 weeks on 28 February 2002. Flicking through my mother’s diaries (from 2002 to 2008), I understand the desperation, heartache and sadness she must've felt after I was born.
Read MoreNine months on from completing the South Downs Ultra Marathon (at 50km, my longest run ever), I feel so very lucky and fortunate. Not only for my body, but also for my ability to have crossed the finish line. My twin brother Rufus and I were born at 23 weeks’ gestation in 1994.
Read MoreOur daughter Matilda was born at 27 weeks, weighing just 665g (1lb 7oz), in August 2021 after I’d suddenly developed pre-eclampsia two weeks previously. She spent 19 weeks in two hospitals, before finally making it home just in time for Christmas on 19 December last year.
Read MoreAt 31 weeks I was admitted to hospital with preeclampsia, which was soon to become HELLP syndrome. The nurses had to stabilise me for it to be safe enough for a c-section and, at 32 weeks exactly, my twins were born: Eloise at 2lbs (0.91kg) and Joshua at 3lbs (1.36kg).
Read MoreA year ago today I woke up in hospital next to my baby for the first time. Hazel had been on this earth for a grand total of 54 days and yet this was the first time I was able to see her the moment I opened my eyes, before either of us had had our coffee - a caramel latte for me, a shot of pure caffeine to the heart for her.
Read MoreFrom the moment my husband and I found out I was carrying twins, we knew it was highly likely they would spend time in neonatal care. We discovered I was pregnant with a boy and a girl and were told to prepare for a range of outcomes.
Read MoreArriving at triage with back pain that afternoon, I knew something wasn’t quite right. It was only 10 minutes after arriving that my waters broke and I was 7cm dilated. Within 50 minutes of setting foot in the hospital, Spencer was born, quickly and unexpectedly at 30 weeks, weighing 3lb 5oz (1.5kg).
Read MoreAfter falling pregnant for the second time, I always knew it would be different. I was immediately labelled a high-risk pregnancy. I went through the pregnancy knowing there was a good chance of premature birth, but I had no idea what that actually meant for me or my baby.
Read MoreIn October 2018 Max was born suddenly at 24+5 weeks, gate-crashing his big brother Oliver’s third birthday. His chance of survival had initially been so poor that we scarcely allowed ourselves to believe we might get through the next 24 hours, let alone beyond them.
Read MoreMy name is Danielle Evans and I was a premature baby, born at 26 weeks, weighing a mere 0.837kg (1lb 14oz). I am very honoured to be sharing my story with you. My family have always been very open and honest about my birth and the challenges surrounding giving birth to a premature baby.
Read MoreMy thank you today is for Nurse Kudiwa at the NICU ward at Queens Hospital in Romford, Essex. Kudiwa was one of the first nurses to look after our little girl Sophie who was born at 29 weeks + 1 day in October 2017 and I was reassured from the very first time that I met her that Sophie was in good hands.
Read MoreIn September 2016 our little boy Jacob arrived in the world at 32 weeks, less than 12 hours after my waters broke. Prior to this I’d had a normal pregnancy apart from sickness. Right up to two hours before Jacob was born I was told that I wouldn’t go into labour and that any pains I was feeling were due to my body reacting to being without my waters.
Read More‘I’m sorry, but you’re having your baby tonight.’ That was the last thing I expected. Hearing the doctor apologetically confirm my labour filled me with dread. This should be one of the most magical (albeit painful) times of your life. Welcoming your first child into the world. Yet the medic’s words propelled me into total self-abandonment. This was a failure. My baby was being let down. I still had 13 weeks to go. This is not how this was meant to happen.
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