Your stories

“I never expected anything to go wrong.” - Bethany’s #MyNeonatalStory

October 20, 2021

Bethany describes the challenges that arose when her son was born premature and the incredible journey they have since taken on together.

“We talk about Joel always” – Emily’s story

October 14, 2021

When Emily was expecting her fourth baby, she had no idea the pregnancy would result in devastating heartbreak. For Baby Loss Awareness Week, Emily…

“I wish I’d had the courage to say that I’m not really fine” – Sarah’s story

October 06, 2021

For Baby Loss Awareness Week Sarah writes about the long-term emotional impact of losing her baby son to an inoperable heart condition shortly after…

“Seeing my son in an incubator was heartbreaking” – Sarah’s story

September 10, 2021

Sarah’s baby, Jax, spent 60 days in NICU and the experience greatly affected her mental health, but the amazing support she received from the…

“People came to congratulate me on my baby, but I felt like a fraud” - Sarah’s story

September 03, 2021

When Sarah found herself in NICU with her second baby, Freya, it was a new and frightening experience made harder by the fact that other parents were…

"He was the biggest baby they had seen in NICU for a while" - Harriet's story

August 19, 2021

Harriet's baby was born full term at 42 weeks. Her son, Jensen, suffered from severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), which caused respiratory…

“The Bliss Champions are unsung heroes” – Simon’s story

August 17, 2021

When Simon and Gen’s baby, Jacob, was born premature little did they realise it would be the start of a long journey in NICU. During this time Simon…

“The whole time in NICU felt like a daze” - Bowie’s story

August 12, 2021

For a parent who’s already had one child, having a second baby who needs neonatal care can feel like becoming a parent all over again says NICU mum…

“Reading about what Bliss were doing for families gave us comfort” - Michelle’s story

August 10, 2021

Michelle and her husband, Matt, have had two children who needed care in NICU. She says the experience was an emotional rollercoaster that she will…

"It was undoubtedly the most difficult period of our lives" - Kirsty's story

July 27, 2021

After her baby was diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Kirsty gave birth at 28 weeks. Her daughter, Isabelle, weighed 1lb 5oz. In this…

"I thought NICU was only for premature babies" - Emma's story

July 22, 2021

Emma's son, Freddie, was born at 41 weeks. When Freddie was born, he was not breathing and had seizures. He was diagnosed with HIE and needed…

"The resilience of a baby will never cease to amaze me" - Sam's story

July 15, 2021

Sam's eldest son was born full term and needed special care in NICU. Due to her son's condition, he was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital, 110…

"I was fraught with anxiety" - Bryony's story

July 07, 2021

When Bryony's son, Elias, needed neonatal care, the experience was made even more difficult, as COVID-19 restrictions meant that Bryony and her…

"It broke my heart, but I knew he was a fighter" - Jenna's story

July 01, 2021

"Many parents don’t realise that sometimes the “big babies” are the sickest" - Sian's story

June 25, 2021

Sian's son, Gethin, was born full term and suffered from HIE. He stayed in NICU for a month, where all the other babies were premature. Here, Sian…

"There was constant fear that something really bad might happen" - Michelle's story

June 11, 2021

Michelle had five IVF attempts in order to get pregnant with her daughter, Audrey, who came from her final embryo. Audrey was born 14 weeks early and…

An Open Letter to NICU Dads - Carl's story

June 07, 2021

For Father's Day, Carl shares his advice and thoughts to other dads who have a neonatal experience.

"I felt like I was being forced to choose between my children" - Ellie's story

June 03, 2021

Ellie's son, Xander, was born full term during the COVID-19 pandemic, in June 2020. After Xander experienced seizures, he needed special care in…