Parker's Story

"I fell pregnant first try using donor sperm. I decided a long time ago that I wanted to be a mum, and that i would do it by myself.

My pregnancy was unremarkable, aside from minor risk factors because i was born with a unicornate uterus and only one communicating ovary.

At 29+1 i noticed a pink tinge on the toilet paper after being to the bathroom, went to my OB and they confirmed my water was leaking and I needed to be moved to a hospital with a larger NICU. I arrived at 2.30am the morning of being 29+3, and was quickly diagnosed with PPROM, pre-eclampsia and the beginning of premature labour.

During CTG my sons heartrate showed multiple episodes of dropping dangerously low, and he was born at 6.44am weighing 1236 grams.

Parker spent a total of 51 days in hospital, between the hospital he was born in and being moved to the Special Care Nursery closer to home once he reached the weight goal.

He was on CPAP with room air from 6 hours old before moving to high/low flow until weaning off completely. He required 15 days of antibiotics at 2 weeks old after getting a blood infection. Parker came home with no breathing assistance, drinking his bottles like it was going out of fashion, and having some spunk to him!

Parker is now nearly 2 years old and has a huge heart, loves going to daycare and playing with his friends, is extremely cheeky and very loved and spoilt.

It definitely was not the way I expected my first pregnancy to go, but I am forever grateful that the doctors and nurses of the NICU were there to help me and my little guy through it, and get us both home safely."

NICU Mum, Catherine