As told by mum Jenna,
On the 4th of August 2019 Jacob was born by emergency c section in Masterton. Unfortunately I was only 33 weeks pregnant.
Jacob was then transported by Life Flight to Wellington Hospital to be admitted to NICU, his dad Ben followed by car. I got to join Jacob and Ben the next day. When I got to see Jacob, I cried because of the CPAP, I couldn’t see our sons face. I couldn’t just hold our baby and my emotions were everywhere.
Ben then went back to Masterton as we wanted to keep everything as normal as possible for our daughter. This was extremely hard for both of us however Mackie needed a parent at home.
It’s amazing how much you push your body after a c section. I remember after I had my appendix out I spent days in bed, yet less than 48hours after a c section I was walking constantly to see Jacob, pump his milk or get some much needed rest.
I will never forget the 6th of August 2019, I got my first real cuddle. I broke down, not knowing if I should be happy or sad. I was happy to cuddle him but sad that he was here and not still in my stomach where he should have been.
We were lucky, Jacob just had to feed and grow yet it still was a gut wrenching experience. After 1 and a half weeks in NICU Jacob was transferred to SCBU in Masterton. Then 3 and a half weeks later our baby finally got to come home to a very happy big sister.
I still struggle 6 months on with what we didn’t get. I didn’t get to look “really” pregnant, we couldn’t establish breastfeeding, we didn’t get to have skin to skin as soon as he was born, we didn’t get the calm birth we had planned.
Each day I have to drive past Masterton hospital and each day I feel as though I’m still reliving it. But I also remember we now have a gorgeous boy who lights up our whole world and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thank you, The Little Miracles Trust, Life Flight, Ronald McDonald House and Wellington Free Ambulance. Without you we might not be in the same position we are in today.
*** Thanks for sharing Jenna ***
We get a lot of positive feedback from families in a neonatal unit who read these stories and feel strength, hope and positivity knowing that they are not alone going through these experiences and feeling certain emotions.
If you would like to discuss sharing the story of your neonatal journey, we’d love to hear from you. Please email info@littlemiraclestrust.org.nz
Interested in how The Little Miracles Trust supports families going through the stress and anxiety of a neonatal journey?
Here’s a gallery of support examples.
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If you want to help our support of families going through the stress and anxiety of a neonatal journey, you can donate here.
- The Little Miracles Trust provides support to families of premature or sick full-term babies as they make their journey through Neonatal Intensive Care, the transition home, and onwards. We do not receive any Government funding and are entirely reliant on the generousity of individuals, companies and organisations in the form of donations, value-in-kind donations, grants, sponsorship and fundraising events to supplement operating costs and fund our services and initiatives.
- As we are a registered charity (CC56619) with Charities Services New Zealand we will send you an IRD compliant tax receipt – this will happen automatically by return email.
- Here’s a gallery of support examples
