Our Journey with Oscar
Our first born, Oscar, was born on the 22nd of August 2025 at 32 weeks and 4 days. Without warning, my waters prematurely ruptured at work the day prior. Despite attempts to stop labour, Oscar decided he didn’t want to wait. He was born weighing 2232g.
He spent the first night on the ventilator and then another 2 days on CPAP before coming off oxygen completely. He spent exactly 4 weeks in the Waikato NICU, which was to give him time to wake up, learn to feed, and grow.
On the day we were asked to room in, Oscar wasn’t fully breastfeeding and was still requiring one top up through his NGT during the day so we were a bit nervous about how it would go. Soon after we were asked, Oscar pulled out his NGT. We soon realised this was him telling us that he was ready to go home as from then, he managed full breastfeeds throughout the day and the following 2 nights. We then got to take him home which was equal parts exciting and scary.
Oscar’s early arrival and NICU stay wasn’t how we anticipated our parenthood journey to begin, and leaving him behind when we went home was one of the hardest things we had to do. Knowing that he was in the care of the most wonderful, loving and supportive nurses made this a little bit easier. They cared for him like he was their own and we can’t thank them enough for that.
The Little Miracles Trust also provided so much support through shared morning teas, care packages and an extra special gift to celebrate Jacob’s first Father’s Day.
Oscar is now the happiest, most easy going one year old and continues to meet all of his milestones.
Thanks so much for sharing your personal story.
We hear from many families in neonatal units who find comfort in reading the stories of others who have walked a similar path. Knowing they’re not alone, and seeing the different ways families navigate their neonatal journey, can bring a sense of connection, understanding and reassurance — even during the most difficult times.
If you would like to share your neonatal journey, we’d be honoured to hear your story and help you share it in whatever way feels right for you.
Email us info@lmt.org.nz
Support Us
If you want to help our support of families going through the stress and anxiety of a neonatal journey, you can donate via the link below.
- 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 generosity 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.