I had to deliver my little girl Aoife, in October 2023 at 28 weeks, due to having severe preeclampsia and kidney complications. I had a really enjoyable pregnancy up until week 20 when the midwives became concerned about my blood pressure. By the time I got to 28 weeks, my world fell apart because I had to be transferred urgently to a hospital two hours from my home and family as my health had deteriorated.
I was transferred to Wishaw hospital at 1:00am and it was here that the next morning my daughter had to be delivered via emergency C-section. I only saw my baby for ten seconds before she was whisked away to be looked after by the NICU team who worked tirelessly to save her life.
Once we were both stable, we finally got to meet each other and that's where our neonatal journey began. Now ten months on from our eight weeks in hospital, we have the most incredible healthy little girl.
I can't lie and say it wasn’t tough the first few weeks – I felt like a failure, and I still do at times. I felt guilty and but also emotionless. The main feeling to describe it was numb, like I was having an out of body experience.
You will feel all sorts of feelings, but the most important thing I have learned along this journey is that it doesn't end when they get home.
Get the help and support and I promise you over time you will heal and the bond that's created is stronger than ever and like no other.
There is something seriously special about having a neonatal baby, the strength these tiny babies have is out of this world and the strength it has given me and my husband to this day is also out of this world.
Aoife is now ten months old and thriving, I wish I could go back and tell myself everything would have been OK.
I found great comfort in hearing other parents’ journeys, and I hope mine brings hope, comfort and strength to whoever is in a similar position as us. My message to you is to ever give up.
