North Shore Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) seems peaceful and calm but looks can be deceiving. Paediatrician Bobby Tsang has been working in this unit for 11 years and says dealing with these fragile children can be incredibly intense. ‘‘There are about 3000 deliveries a year . . . 300 come through the unit – that’s one in 10 babies.
Twins Christine and Alexa Conradie spent their first few weeks of life in the SCBU. The premature babies were born at 32 weeks and weighed less than 1.7kg. Their mother Tanya says it was stressful and unexpected but the hospital support has been amazing and her girls are making good progress.
‘‘They’re growing quickly and the babies don’t fuss too much.’’