MUMS and dads whose babies were in intensive care after being born prematurely have been celebrating Christmas with hospital staff who cared for them.
Leighton Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) held a special Christmas meet-up for current and former patients and their families.
NICU holds coffee mornings every month for all their families, who say they find it helpful to talk about their experience and develop support networks with others who understand what they’ve been through.
The group’s Christmas event, held on Friday, December 1, saw the babies looking ‘adorable’ in festive baby clothes and receiving gifts from a very special elf visitor.
They also enjoyed a rendition of Hark! the Herald Angel Sing by NICU ward manager Rachael Beagles, and ward assistant, Josia Arowosafe.
Charlotte Smith’s daughter, Florence, who was born at 28 weeks and two days, weighing just two pounds, five ounces, spent 70 days in hospital, including almost two months on the NICU.
Charlotte, who’s from Northwich, said the sessions have become a ‘safe place’ for her and other mums and dads who needed to talk to people who understood the challenges they’ve faced.
“Florence looked absolutely adorable dressed up as an elf,” said Charlotte.
“Thanks to the wonderful team at NICU, she’s now eight-and-a-half months old.
“The coffee mornings are special for lots of reasons.
“Babies are being born every minute, of every hour, of every day, the world over.
“But when your pregnancy or birth don't quite go to plan and your baby ends up in the NICU, not everyone understands what you're going through.
“It is a completely different experience you're not prepared for.
“It's all-consuming, and it becomes your life. You eat, sleep and breathe it all day, every day.
“Thankfully, you're not alone. There are other parents around who are going through similar experiences as you and your baby.
“You end up on the journey together, supporting one another, and sharing in the highs and the lows.”
NICU coffee mornings were set up in January by Mid Cheshire Hospitals senior staff nurse, Anne Nixon.
They’re usually held on the first Friday of the month, often with other professional guests, including a parent peer support worker and a member of the specialist mental health team.
Anne said: “I realised once the babies didn’t need to come back to the clinic, there was a need for support specifically for parents of preterm babies to meet up with other parents.
“It’s a chance for them to catch up and chat with other parents who have gone through similar experiences.
“The coffee hour now seems to be going from strength to strength.”
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