North Canberra

Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup
Where: North Belconnen Community Hall (Nellie Hall)
Address: Chinner Crescent, Melba ACT
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost: Free – includes morning tea
When: Fortnightly on Thursdays during the ACT school terms.
Contact: 1300 MBABIES (1300 622 243) or info@miraclebabies.org.au

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Please contact us if you have a premmie playgroup and would like it added to our website.

Gestation Born? Abbie was born at 35w1d after waters broke at 34w6d I was induced after infection set in & Olivia born at 25w1d after waters broke at 24w2d once again induced after infection had set in.

How long were they hospitalised for? Abbie was in hospital for 5 days & with Olivia we were in hospital for 81 days (57 in ICU & 24 in SCN).

Is there any prematurity in your families history? The earliest anyone had a bub in our family was 37 weeks

How did you cope with the world of prematurity when your child/children were born? With Abbie since she was born needing resus she was whisked away. So apart from the start to life she was pretty right & we were just in SCN to be monitored.

With Livvy though that was a whole different ball game. I was having to live at the Ronald McDonald house 4.5hrs away from my family & support network. So to cope I was trying to do anything & everything I could: from cares to feeds & pumping every 3hrs to make sure I had enough of a supply for my tiny girl. I also had a good set of books to read while I was sitting up at the hospital with her. I also found poem writing & keeping a journal helped keep me sane.

How did you feel when you first saw your child/children after they were born? The first time I saw Abbie I was a tad scared seeing her in the isolete. Not knowing what was in store. Thankfully she was out & into an open cot that night.

With Livvy I was petrified. We had lost our son 11 months earlier during his pregnancy & I had all those emotions running through my head again. Dr’s weren’t sure how she’d go over night & I was scared of having to bury another child. Seeing her attached to all the drips & monitors & not being able to hold her was the hardest for me.

Did you find it hard deciding to have another baby or have you decided no more? I have always wanted 4 children but my hubby only wanted to 2 so our compromise was 3. As much as I would love another bub we have decided to not have anymore. I wouldn’t like to put the kids through me being away again for 11 weeks if it were to happen again.

Have there been any lasting complications due to your child/children’s prematurity? if so how have you dealt with it? Abbie is now a healthy 2.5year old who had some problems with her ears & recurrent ear infections so has required grommits but apart from that she is great.

Olivia is now 5 months old (6.5weeks corrected) & has Chronic Lung disease so is currently on oxygen via sub nasal prongs 24 hrs a day. We will need constant review every 3 – 4 months with the Resp team at the Mater in Brissy.

How do you feel now about prematurity and how do you help others be aware of how serious it is for babies? Another mum I met at the Royal in Brisbane & I are in the process of starting up some fundraising & awareness for the unit. I think it is important for other people to realise what can happen with prematurity. How much of a fighter these kids are & how much the doctors & nurses do for these special little people in our lives. Without them & the modern cons of medicine we wouldn’t have our tiny girl today.

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If you wish to become a “Premmie Parent of the Moment” please submit your details here

Parent(s) first name(s): Aleesha and Richard
Premmie baby’s name(s): Ayden
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 35 weeks
Hospital where born: Ipswich General Hospital
Length of stay: 11 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2010
Name(s) of loved one(s): Annette
Relationship to child/ren: Nanna
Thing you remember most about their support: She was always there when we needed her. She drove half an hour to our house so she could drive me the five minutes to the hospital to feed Ayden. She took our older son out for dinner so he could have a break from the hospital.She bought some warm suits for Ayden when we didnt have the time or money to buy them ourselves. She was wonderful and I couldnt have asked for a more helpful supportive mother.

Parents special message of thanks: Thanks Mum for everything you have done to help us since Ayden was born. I couldn’t have asked for more.You are a great mother and wonderful loving nanna.

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Parent(s) first name(s): Shannon & Ruben
Premmie baby’s name(s): Ryan
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 31+5 weeks
Hospital where born: Mater Mothers Hospital Brisbane
Length of stay: 4 weeks
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2010
Name(s) of loved one(s): Kim
Relationship to child/ren: Nanna
Thing you remember most about their support: When Ryan arrived early my mum flew up from Sydney to stay with us and look after our 2 year old girl Chloe while I went to stay with Ryan in NICU/SCN everyday. Mum did all the day to day chores, taking care of Chloe, cooking dinner, doing the washing, just everything to keep home life running normal. Mum came to the hospital to visit Ryan too, even helping with a few of his baths with was great.

Parents special message of thanks: I would like to thank my mum so much for all her help while Ryan was in hospital. Mum made sure everything was taken care of and all I had to do was focus on Ryan getting bigger and stronger to come home. Also Chloe loved having her Nanna come and visit, and spoiling her too!

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Parent(s) first name(s): Tarni and John
Premmie baby’s name(s): Hayley Aleise Miller
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 24+1wks
Hospital where born: Royal Brisbane & Womens Hospital
Length of stay: 122 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2010
Name(s) of loved one(s): Lisa, David, Kell, Ann, Ian, Peter, Lynn + kids & the rest of our lovely family and friends
Relationship to child/ren: Family and Friends
Thing you remember most about their support: We remember everything everyone did for us, the support was very much needed and everyone was their to help us through this hard time. It was great

Parents special message of thanks: We would love to thank everyone that helped us from being up at the hospital at the time Hayley was born, her long 122 days in hospital, her major downfalls, and minor steps up, through the tears and what “if’s”, helping us to prepare for her to come home with us, helping look after Liam and take him to daycare for us when we couldn’t, to play and talk to Liam and care for him while we were with Hayley. Thanks to daycare for taking Liam on 5 days a week for us for free to help us out due to a family of workers also for being their to welcome our little princess home and now celebrating her first birthday. We are truely grateful for all this love, support, and the best wishes we have received from everyone thank you all so much we love you all. oxoxox

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Parent(s) first name(s): Dannielle & Orin
Premmie baby’s name(s): Sahara
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 30 weeks
Hospital where born: Singleton
Length of stay: 7 weeks
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2010
Name(s) of loved one(s): Karen & Rick
Relationship to child/ren: Grandparents
Thing you remember most about their support: Everything we asked, no matter how big or small, was never to difficult. They were always there for us.

Parents special message of thanks: Thank you so much for everything you did and are doing for us. We appreciate you so much, we could never say thank you enough

XOXOXOXOXO

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Parent(s) first name(s): Amy & Michael
Premmie baby’s name(s): Olivia Paige
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 25weeks 1 day
Hospital where born: Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital
Length of stay: 82 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2010
Name(s) of loved one(s): Allan, Karen, Dani
Relationship to child/ren: Grandparents & godmother
Thing you remember most about their support: Allan & Karen drove down alternating weekends while we were in Brisbane (400km)so I had something to look forward to at the end of each week. They also helped look after my other 2 children while I was away for 11 weeks.

Dani was at the hospital waiting for me when I got transferred down prior to having Olivia & she came up every few days to make sure I had company in those long few weeks

Parents special message of thanks: I would like to thank my parents for their love & support to us all & stepping up to play an active role in my other children’s lives to keep them in as normal a routine as possible.

I would like to thank Dani for her love & support. I know without you there for me I doubt I would of gotten through doing the NICU by myself

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If you wish to submit a message to your loved one(s) please use our online form

We invite you to submit details of your loved one(s) who were with you every step of the way. Whether it was your parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, sister, brother or great friends.

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How long were they hospitalised for? Olivia was in the NICU/SCN for 29 days. She was discharged at what would have been 36 weeks gestation.

Is there any prematurity in your families history? No, there was no prematurity in our family histories that we were aware of. A premature birth was not something I ever imagined would happen to me and as such skipped through this information when reading my birth books. Olivia’s prematurity was due to my placenta rupturing.

How did you cope with the world of prematurity when your child/children were born? My husband had been travelling for work for approx 4 weeks and had just come home. In the week before Olivia’s arrival from the Wednesday to the Saturday I was having “braxton hicks”. My husband and I went out to dinner and a movie on the Saturday night as a welcome home from his travel and during the movie we contemplated leaving because my “braxton Hicks” were so painful. I should have listened to my husband who said lets call your OB, but I thought no, its far to early for the pain to be real, I’ll be fine. Then on the Sunday night, we went to bed at 10.30pm and again, the “braxton hicks” were painful but also regular at 6-7 mins apart. I couldn’t sleep and I was waiting for them to go away and at 1.30am I got up to use the bathroom and found myself in a pool of blood. I screamed for my husband and we called our hospital for advice. They told me to come in, but at this stage still thinking it was too early for it to be real, I didn’t take my bags (which actually weren’t even packed yet). The saving grace was that my husband at the last minute grabbed the camera so we did get to capture some beautiful photos. We bundled our 2 year old into the car and dropped him off at my parents house. Unfortunately, upon exam by my OB it was discovered that I was indeed in labour and my OB tried to stop the labour but to no avail. An ultrasound was ordered to see how big Olivia was and if in fact I could deliver at my planned hospital. Unfortunately, she was too small and before I knew it, I was in an ambulance off to a hospital with a NICU. Up until this stage I was naively excited about getting to skip the last few weeks of pregnancy and get to just have my baby early, it had not dawned on me at all that I would not be taking her home for weeks and weeks, what felt like a gut wrenching eternity. In terms of coping I put up a brave front, I was positive and reported her weight gains increases in milk intake to friends etc but when I left the hospital every day I would cry all the way home, sometimes my husband could calm me down when I got home, sometimes not. I found the separation and the situation unbearable. I think I put on a brave front because I have always been a strong person but underneath, every time I had to leave the hospital it was extremely painful. I also found it hard leaving my 2 year old each day. He knew I was going to see`Bubby’ but was distressed that I was not around for him. This also added to stress levels! Luckily my parents were an amazing support.

How did you feel when you first saw your child/children after they were born? When I saw Olivia for the first time, to me, she didn’t seem small, sick or in need of the NICU (still very naive!) she just looked like the baby girl I had always dreamed of having but when they told me she only weighed 1989g and was 43cm I felt sick, guilty and responsible for not being able to carry her to term and give her the best start to life as I had done with my son. I can however remember looking at her when she was placed briefly on my chest and looking into her big blue eyes, it was a beautiful moment that I can still vividly remember now when I close my eyes even though the rest of the night/days/weeks events are a little blurry. When I was taken to see her in the NICU it was gut wrenching, she was so tiny, so fragile, so sweet. I desperately wanted to pick her up and comfort her and tell her I was not going to leave her bedside, I was going to protect her. All of the iv’s and tubes etc were extremely scary to look at.

Did you find it hard deciding to have another baby or have you decided no more? It is still early stages, we are both still healing from the trauma of Olivia’s birth. I think that we are extremely lucky to have a healthy little boy and girl and at this stage, we have decided no more.

Have there been any lasting complications due to your child/children’s prematurity? if so how have you dealt with it? Olivia is now 16 weeks and doing wonderfully! She is truly remarkable. She only required CPAP for 24 hours and then went straight on air. She slowly but surely put on weight, and after 29 days, was able come home with us. She did have bilateral inguinal hernias, which were operated on and is suffering from reflux but has been prescribed medication and it is not bothering her. We are so unbelievably thankful that there are no lasting complications, we continually count our blessings.

How do you feel now about prematurity and how do you help others be aware of how serious it is for babies? A premature birth can happen to anyone. I did not drink, smoke, take drugs or do anything detrimental and it happened to me. I hope that by sharing my story it can give parents who are currently still separated from their baby inspiration to know that their baby will eventually come home and that one day this will be a distant memory. It is hard to explain to those who have not experienced a pre term birth how it feels, it is extremely painful to see your baby suffer, to not be able to pick them up and hold them, to sit with them day in and day out but feel like you are not officially their mother just a visitor and I don’t think you can ever describe just how it feels to leave your baby in the care of others, it is not just as simple as walking away and coming back the next day, it is indescribable. I would also like to be the little voice in expectant mothers’ heads that says if something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait, speak to your hospital or OB, it is better to be safe than sorry!

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If you wish to become a “Premmie Parent of the Moment” here at L’il Aussie Prems please submit your details to us. You will be contacted for a photo of your premmie baby(s) when you will be featured on the website.

Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup
Where: The Lyons Community Centre, 25 Damabila Drive Lyons, Darwin, NT
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Cost: Free – includes morning tea
When: Fortnightly on Mondays (during the NT school terms)
Contact: 1300 MBABIES (1300 622 243) or info@miraclebabies.org.au

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Please contact us if you attend a premmie playgroup & would like to be added to our list.

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If you would like to submit a thank you message to your hospital please fill out our submission form.

There will be 3 winners of this competition. The candle sizes range from large, medium & small and can be personalised with a photo or motif of choice.

• The main winner will receive a 23cm x 6cm sized candle valued at $49.50
• The 1st runner up will receive a 18cm x 6cm candle valued at $38.50
• The 2nd runner up will receive a 15cm x 5xm candle valued at $20.50

How to enter our competition

Visit the Bellabee Candles website and answer the question below using our online form to be in the running to win 1 of 3 personalised candles.

In the Baptism Candle range, what is the baby girls name on the dark pink 3 piece girl candle set? (The answer can be found at www.bellabeecandles.com.au)

We will announce the winners in our November newsletter edition. Please ensure that the email address you enter with is valid so we can contact you if you are one of the lucky winners.

Entries close on the 6th November 2011.

Bellabee Candles is a proud sponsor of L’il Aussie Prems.

Toby Clarke is our 2nd runner up Local Premmie Hero Award Winner

Toby organised an event called “butts on bikes for bubs” where a group of 10 riders rode from Melbourne to Adelaide to raise money for medical equipment for the Flinders Medical Centre NICU in South Australia. Toby is quite humble,  giving by nature and saw this ride as a way for him to give back to the community and people touched by premature birth. Toby took along 9 other riders who are all amateurs at long distance riding and under Toby’s guidance and motivation they took on the challenge in May 2010.

The ride went fantastic and the riders had every bit of weather imaginable from head winds reaching 40km/h, to torrential down pours. They also had  a little bingle that saw two of the riders sustain minor injuries, yet everyone soldiered on and completed this fantastic challenge. The team organised the event and raised over $52,000 with money still coming in, a sensational effort from Toby and the dedicated team.

Toby was thrilled with the unexpected news and humbly said that this award goes to all his fellow riders who made this ride the amazing success it turned out to be.

Congratulations to Toby and his team and thank you!

Toby has won a $150 RedBalloon gift certificate, movie tickets (to the value of $55.00) and he will receive a uniquely designed medal & framed certificate.

Parool Shah is our 1st runner up Local Premmie Hero Award Winner

In 2003 Parool had a prem baby boy, at the time there was no support available to parents and Parool decided she had to change this, so in 2005 she along with 5 others started the charity Lifes Little Treasures of which she is now president. LLT aims to provide support, friendship and assistance throughout Victoria to families of children born prematurely. 

She works tirelessly to provide the support network that families require on leaving hospital & most importantly strives to create awareness amongst the community of the journey these precious children & their families find themselves on. Over the years she has made many personal sacrifices because what LLT stood for was so important to her & her beliefs. If she not on the phone she on the email 24/7, always working even on holidays!. Her ultimate wish is to provide information, support and encouragement to families with premature babies, empowering them to achieve the best outcomes for their children. She is always available when needed by a family & will do everything in her power to assist them.

In 2007 she played a major role in the founding of the National Premmie Foundation.

She is an inspiration to all at LLT and her great passion & leadership is what has enabled LLT to assist hundreds of families and grow to become one the largest hands on premature charities. She has a dream and is well on the way to fulfilling it. She’ll never take no for an answer! “We are blessed to have her on our side” said Shusannah…

www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

Thank you Parool and congratulations!

Parool has won a $250 RedBalloon gift certificate, a beautiful flower arrangement (to the value of $55.00) and she will receive a uniquely designed medal & framed certificate.

Stephanie Freeman is our 2010 Premmie Hero Award Winner.

Stephanie was born in 1996 at 31 weeks gestation. She weighed just over 1kg. Stephanie and her identical twin sister were immediately rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane. Stephanie was experiencing breathing difficulties and required ventilation. However, over the following weeks she survived and thrived and was finally allowed home six weeks after her birth.

From the age of 12 months until 5 years of age Stephanie suffered from numerous hospital admissions due to breathing difficulties and allergies. During this time she was desperately underweight and always looked unwell. Finally at aged 5, two ENT (ear, nose and throat) operations helped her to overcome her problems and since that time she has never looked back. From that time on she has taken every opportunity to enjoy life, be involved in numerous sports and to help other community members.

Stephanie is now aged nearly 14 and is an athletic, healthy teenager. In 2007 aged 11, Stephanie decided she needed to do something to help other premature babies. She signed up to fundraise for the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The unit which helped her and her twin sister so much in their first weeks of life. She went to visit the unit and looking at the premature babies made Stephanie aware of just how small and fragile she had been when she was first born. It was an eye opener for her to see all the machinery connected to these tiny babies helping to keep them alive.
Since that day Stephanie has worked over 100 hours annually to fundraise for the unit. Without corporate contacts her fundraising has been through an enormous amount of time and effort.

Stephanie initiated, organised and coordinated a sponsored swim. Stephanie gained the support of the Albany Creek Swim Club who participated in this event. The Albany Creek Masters Swim Club was so impressed at all of her hard work that they volunteered to also participate in the sponsored swim. She has gained the support and sporting memorabilia for raffles or auction from six Olympic swimmers Libby Trickett, Stephanie Rice, Jessica Schipper, Bronte Barratt, Leith Brodie, Kylie Palmer and World Swimming gold medalist Trent Grimsey. She has also gained the support of the swimming organisation ‘Swimming Queensland’. Swimming Queensland was so impressed at all her fundraising that they donated a framed print signed by 19 of Australia’s top swimmers. Stephanie organised for the print to be auctioned off at one of the premier fundraising events in Brisbane. Stephanie has coordinated and organised raffle tickets to be sold over the week long State Swimming Championships at the Sleeman Aquatic Centre in Chandler. She not only spent numerous hours selling tickets herself but organised other swim club members to work alongside her. Stephanie has also organised and run numerous stalls selling Mater Little Miracle Merchandise at local shopping centres and sporting venues. Mater little Miracle Merchandise is soft toy dogs, pens, keyrings etc which have the Mater Hospital logo on them. She has gained the support of the local Eatons Hill Primary School which held a free dress day and the school donated half of the money raised to her fundraising. She has also collected donations from numerous sporting events and local businesses, organised and run Australia Day BBQs, raffles and also participated in a sponsored triathlon. To date Stephanie has raised $15,000 for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Stephanie has also highlighted and promoted the work carried out by the Neonatal Intensive care unit. She has highlighted the need for fundraising to be carried out for the hospital. This has been through numerous newspaper and magazine articles and web site information. The Mater Mothers’ Hospital acknowledged her dedication to her fundraising and her promotion of the hospital. They awarded her a Mater Star Award in 2008 and 2009, the Mater Fundraising Challenge Spirit Award 2009 and the Mater Little Miracles Award 2010.

Stephanie’s efforts have also extended to help the parents and siblings of premature and sick babies cared for at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital. She involved the local community to collect items needed for Ronald McDonald House in South Brisbane. Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families who do not live in Brisbane but they are able to stay at the House while their baby is requiring hospital treatment. She was highly successful collecting a vast amount of much needed items such as bathroom items and toiletries, kitchen items and food, new toys and books.

Through all of Stephanie’s efforts she ensures that everyone associated with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is assisted. Her fundraising is used to assist the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit through equipment bought for the Unit and for research and hospital projects. The public has been made aware of the need for fundraising to be carried out and encouraged to participate. The parents and siblings of the premature babies are also assisted through the donation of a vast amount of items to ensure their stay at Ronald McDonald House is made as comfortable and as homely as possible.

She was the premature baby who is now helping other premature babies and their families. Her strength and determination in her efforts to help other premature babies and their families, is the same strength and determination she showed when she was first born.

Stephanie is a State level swimmer and is also involved in athletics, cross country running and tennis. She is in Grade 10 at school, 12 months ahead of her peers. She is involved in numerous community and environmental voluntary work. Her story hopefully is an inspiration to other parents who are struggling with the difficulties associated with having a premature baby. The difficulties she endured during the first five years of her life are behind her and she shows that a difficult start to life is no barrier to what a person can achieve.

Congratulations Stephanie and thank you!

Stephanie has won a $500 RedBalloon gift certificate, movie tickets to the value of $75,  and she will receive a uniquely designed trophy & framed certificate.

Our 2009 Premmie Hero Award Winners

What makes a mother a happy, confident mother of a premmie baby?
Researchers at the University of Queensland have been conducting focus groups with parents of premmie babies to explore their unique parenting experiences. Inspired by parents stories of challenges and resilience we want to further explore some of the issues that parents have raised. In particular, we want to know what factors contribute to making the mother of a premmie baby a happy and confident mother.

Can you participate?
We are recruiting mothers of babies (<24 months corrected age) born preterm (<37 weeks gestational age).

What does participation involve?
Participation involves completing a web-based survey. We’ve chosen a web-based survey because it allows you to complete the questionnaires in your own home at a time convenient to you. All responses will be completely anonymous as no identifying details will be recorded. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The questionnaires will ask about; your expectations before the premmie birth, your experiences during hospitalisation, coping strategies, your feelings, your spousal relationship (if applicable) and your current feelings around parenting. The web-address for the survey is: http://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/premstudy

What are the benefits?
We hope that this research will inform clinicians about ways that they can better support parents.

If you would like any further information about this study please contact us and we will forward further details to you.

Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup
Where: Subi Church
When: Fortnightly on Fridays (during the WA school terms)
Address: 260 Bagot Road, Subiaco
Time: 10:00 – 12:00pm
Cost: Free – includes morning tea
Contact: 1300 MBABIES (1300 622 243) or info@miraclebabies.org.au

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King Edward Memorial Hospital (WA)

KEMH runs a group at the hospital with babies who spent time in the NICU/SCN. Contact KEMH for details.

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Please contact us if you have a premmie playgroup and would like it added to our website.

Burnie, Devonport, Hobart or Launceston

If your child was born prematurely you may wish to bring them to a playgroup run by the Early Childhood Intervention Service

Visit the following website for contact details www.education.tas.gov.au

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Please contact us if you have a premmie playgroup and would like it added to our website.

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Name: Tamara
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight: 1635g
Time spent in hospital: 57 days
Age Now: 24 months

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Name: Sienna Katalin
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight: 1570 grams
Time spent in hospital: 54 days
Age Now: 2 yrs old

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Name: Levi William
Gestation Born: 29 Weeks
Weight: 1724 grams
Time spent in hospital: 53 days
Age Now: 13 months

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Name: Taylor
Gestation Born: 29+5 weeks
Weight: 1519 grams
Time spent in hospital: 51 days
Age Now: 11 months

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Name: Tristan
Gestation Born: 29+3 weeks
Weight: 565 grams
Time spent in hospital: 102 days
Age Now:4 years 9 months

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Name: Kale
Gestation Born: 29 Weeks
Weight: 1160 grams
Time spent in hospital: 84 days
Age Now: 6.5 months

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Name: Kaylee Jayde
Gestation Born: 29+6 weeks
Weight: 1290 grams
Time spent in hospital: 71 days
Age Now: 2 years old

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If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

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Name: Hudson Hough
Gestation Born: 23 weeks 4 days
Weight: 580 grams
Time spent in hospital: 163 days
Age Now: 3 years 10 months (actual) 3 years 6 months (corrected)

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Name: Kian
Gestation Born: 23+5 weeks
Weight: 695 grams
Time spent in hospital: 218 days
Age Now: 16mths – 12 corrected

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Name: Adelaide
Gestation Born: 23 weeks
Weight: 480 grams
Time spent in hospital: Just over 6 months
Age Now: 2 years 6 months

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Name: Byron
Gestation Born: 23 weeks
Weight: 566 grams
Time spent in hospital: 350 days
Age Now: 16 months

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If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

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Name: Rachel
Gestation Born: 24+2 weeks
Weight: 669 grams
Time spent in hospital: 121 days
Age Now: 2.5yrs

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Name: Hayley Miller
Gestation Born: 24+1 weeks
Weight: 640 grams
Time spent in hospital: 123 days
Age Now: 6.5 months

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Name: Jasmine
Gestation Born: 24+2 weeks
Weight: 526 grams
Time spent in hospital: 145 days
Age Now: 19 months (15 months)

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Name: Thomas Henry
Gestation Born: 24 weeks
Weight: 840grams
Time spent in hospital: 133 days
Age Now:1yr old

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Name: Amelia
Gestation Born: 24+5 weeks
Weight: 815gms
Time spent in hospital: 4 months
Age Now:2 years corrected

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Name: Jacinda
Gestation Born: 24+3 weeks
Weight: 650 grams
Time spent in hospital: 180 days
Age Now: 12 months

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Name: Logan
Gestation Born: 24+5 weeks
Weight: 780 grams
Time spent in hospital: 109 days
Age Now: 35 months actual (31 months corrected)

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If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form

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Name: Cameron Born: 36+2 weeks Weight: 3140 grams Time spent in hospital: 8 days Age Now: 3 months + 3days

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Name: Tristan Born: 36 weeks Weight: 3115 grams Time spent in hospital: 5 days Age Now: 1.5yrs old

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Name: Leigh oy Born: 36+1 weeks Weight: 2830 grams Time spent in hospital: 10 days Age Now: 7 years old

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Name: Olivia Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 2925 grams Time spent in hospital: 25 days Age Now: 19 months

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Name: Jarrod Gestation Born: 36 weeks, 6 days Weight: 6lb, 13.5oz Time spent in hospital: 9 days Age Now: 4 years, 1 week

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Name: Estelle Cadence Gestation Born: 36+2 weeks Weight: 5 pound 2oz Time spent in hospital: 17 days Age Now: 6mths

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Name: Michael Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 3.88kgs Time spent in hospital: 2.5 weeks Age Now: 17 months

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Name: Riley Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 2505 grams Time spent in hospital: 28 days Age Now: 8 months

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Name: Amelia Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 2250 grams Time spent in hospital: 7 days Age Now: 10 months

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Name: Jesse Levi Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 6 lb Time spent in hospital: 17 days Age Now: 13 weeks

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Name: Noah Gestation Born: 36 weeks Weight: 3080 grams Time spent in hospital: 10 days Age Now: 7 months 2 weeks

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Name: Josiah Ihaka Gestation Born: 36+2 weeks Weight: 2900 grams Time spent in hospital: 5 days Age Now: 4 months

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If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

View the amazing photos below of multiples born prematurely.  Each premature baby has a unique journey and we hope this area will give you inspiration for the road ahead especially if you are pregnant or just given birth to twins, triplets or more.

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Names: Karli Aleesha and Kallum Jesse
Born: 29 weeks
Weights: 1340 grams and 1390 grams
Time spent in hospital: 69 days
Age Now: 14 months birth age (11 months corrected age)

_________________________________

Names: Thomas & Alexander
Born: 24 + 4 Weeks
Weights: Thomas – 630grams, Alexander – 546grams
Time spent in hospital: Thomas – 255 days, Alexander – 132 days
Age Now: 3 years old

Thomas

Alexander

______________________

Name: Olivia and Tayla
Born: 30+3 weeks
Weight: 1115 grams and 1560 grams
Time spent in hospital: 50 days
Age Now: 23 months

____________________

Name: Connor & Caitlyn
Born: 28 + 1 weeks
Weight: Connor 1175 grams & Caitlyn 1150 grams
Time spent in hospital: 101 days
Age Now: 9 months

____________________

Name: Caleb Joshua & Caitlyn Paige
Gestation Born: 25 weeks and 6 days
Weight: 981 grams & 1004 grams
Time spent in hospital: Caleb – 98 days & Caitlyn – 103 days
Age Now: 7 and a half months actual (4 months corrected)

Caleb

Caitlyn

___________________

Name: Jasmine & Sebastian
Gestation Born: 28 weeks
Weight: 1.3kg
Age Now: 3 years old

___________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature babies please fill out the following form.

______________________

Name: Corey
Born: 25 weeks gestation
Weight: 740 grams
Time spent in hospital: 127 days
Age Now: 3 years old

______________________

Name: Maxx John
Born: 25+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 920 grams
Time spent in hospital: 12 weeks so far
Age Now: 12 weeks

_______________________

Name: William
Gestation Born: 25 weeks gestation
Weight: 830 grms
Time spent in hospital: 4 months
Age Now: 1 yr or 9 mths corrected

_________________________

Name: Stephanie
Gestation Born: 25 +3 weeks gestation
Weight: 800 grams
Time spent in hospital: 13 weeks
Age Now: 2 years 7 months

_________________________

Name: Ethan
Gestation Born: 25 + 1 days gestation
Weight: 686 grams
Time spent in hospital: 147 days
Age Now: 6 months

_________________________

Name: Bo
Gestation Born: 25 weeks gestation
Weight: 580 grams
Time spent in hospital: 17 weeks
Age Now: 5 years

_________________________

Name: Lennon
Gestation Born: 25+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 580 grams
Time spent in hospital: 120 days
Age Now: 2 1/2yrs

____________________

Name: Reese
Gestation Born: 25+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 730 grams
Time spent in hospital: 84 days
Age Now: 11 months actual

____________________

Name: Ashton Benjamin
Gestation Born: 25 weeks gestation
Weight: 890grams
Time spent in hospital: 146 days
Age Now: 20 months

____________________

Name: Olivia Paige
Gestation Born: 25+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 754 grams
Time spent in hospital: 82 days
Age Now: 10.5months (7months corrected)

_______________________

Name: Summer Mae
Gestation Born: 25+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 880 grams
Time spent in hospital: 91 days
Age Now: 16 weeks (or 11 days corrected)

_______________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

___________________

Name: Liam James
Born: 26+4 weeks
Weight: 1066 grams
Time spent in hospital: 92 days
Age Now: 14 months old

___________________________

Name: Talia
Born: 26 weeks 6 days
Weight: 855 grams
Time spent in hospital: 95 days
Age Now: 3 years old

___________________________

Name: Will
Gestation Born: 26 weeks and 2 days
Weight: 998 grams
Time spent in hospital: 178 days
Age Now: 7 years

___________________________

Name: Aiden
Gestation Born: 26+1 weeks
Weight: 930 grams
Time spent in hospital: 102 days
Age Now: 19 months

________________________

Name: Jonty
Gestation Born: 26 + 5 weeks
Weight: 740 grams
Time spent in hospital: 12 weeks
Age Now: 12 months old

________________________

Name: Delacey James
Gestation Born: 26wks 3 days
Weight: 974 grams
Time spent in hospital: 12 weeks
Age Now: 4yrs old

_________________________

Name: Samara Taylor Alba
Gestation Born: 26 weeks 5 days
Weight: 1.2kgs
Time spent in hospital: 99 days
Age Now: 1 year 8 months

_________________________

Name: Zachery
Gestation Born: 26+5 weeks
Weight: 1005 grams
Time spent in hospital: 87 days
Age Now: 8 mths (4.5 mths corrected)

____________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

_______________

Name: Levi
Born: 31+6 weeks
Weight: 1380 grams
Time spent in hospital: 43 days
Age Now: 15 months

____________________

Name: Zacheus
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight: 1696 grams
Time spent in hospital: 28 days
Age Now: 20 months

______________________

Name: Samuel Charles
Gestation Born: 31 weeks 3 days
Weight: 1602 grams
Time spent in hospital: 49 days
Age Now: 1 year 3 days

_______________________

Name: Guy
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight: 1100 grams
Time spent in hospital: 270 days
Age Now: 8yrs old

________________________

Name: Charlie
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight: 2pounds 2ounces
Time spent in hospital: 10 weeks
Age Now: 5 years

_______________________

Name: Divine Kho
Gestation Born: 31wks
Weight: 1.59 grams
Time spent in hospital: 28 days
Age Now: 17 mths old

_______________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

_____________________

Name: Brendan
Born: 30+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1545 grams
Time spent in hospital: 41 days
Age Now: 37 months

____________________

Name: Hannah
Gestation Born: 30 + 1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1660 grams
Time spent in hospital: 59 days
Age Now: 2 years old

_____________________

Name: Bethan
Gestation Born: 30+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1173gm
Time spent in hospital: 60 days
Age Now: 27 months

_____________________

Name: Reilly
Gestation Born: 30 weeks gestation
Weight: 1859gms
Time spent in hospital: 42 days
Age Now: 21 months

_____________________

Name: William
Gestation Born: 30+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1502 grams
Time spent in hospital: 34 days
Age Now: 17 mths

_____________________

Name: Jacob
Gestation Born: 30 weeks gestation
Weight: 1710 grams
Time spent in hospital: 66 days
Age Now: 11yrs

_____________________

Name: Chelsea
Gestation Born: 30+5 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.4kg (just under 3 pounds)
Time spent in hospital: 50 days
Age Now: 16 months (actual)

_____________________

Name: Micsha
Gestation Born: 30+4 weeks gestation
Weight: 780 grams
Time spent in hospital: 80 days
Age Now:2 years old

_____________________

Name: Eli
Gestation Born: 30+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 826 grams
Time spent in hospital: 128 days
Age Now: 14 months

_____________________

Name: Jaiden
Gestation Born: 30+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1120 grams
Time spent in hospital: 8 weeks
Age Now: 12 months

_____________________

Name: Jack
Gestation Born: 30 weeks gestation
Weight: 1105 grams
Time spent in hospital: 62 days
Age Now: 3 years, 11 months

_____________________

Name: Jermaine Vincent Aymon
Gestation Born: 30 weeks gestation
Weight: 1445 Grams
Time spent in hospital: 35 days
Age Now: 8 months GA (5.5 months corrected)

_____________________

Name: Jordan
Gestation Born: 30+1 weeks
Weight: 1642 grams
Time spent in hospital:  42 days
Age Now: 14 months (12 months corrected)

______________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form

_________________________

Name: Aiden
Born: 32+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.6kgs
Time spent in hospital: 30 days
Age Now: 11months + 7 days

_________________________

Name: Chloe
Born: 32+5 weeks gestation
Weight: 1185 grams
Time spent in hospital: 46 days
Age Now: 11 months old

________________________

Name: Christopher
Born: 32 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.19 kg
Time spent in hospital: 59 days
Age Now: 36 weeks, 28 weeks corrected

_________________________

Name: Lucas
Born: 32+4 weeks gestation
Weight: 1980 grams
Time spent in hospital: 18 days
Age Now: 5 months and 2 weeks

__________________________

Name: Deegan
Gestation Born: 32+2wks gestation
Weight: 2133gms (4lb 11oz)
Time spent in hospital: 35 days
Age Now: 2 and 1/2 yrs

__________________________

Name: Hayden
Gestation Born: 32+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 2166 grams
Time spent in hospital: 15 days
Age Now: 3.5 yrs

__________________________

Name: Andre
Gestation Born: 32+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.494 grams
Time spent in hospital: NICU + SCN – 6 weeks
Age Now: 42 weeks

___________________________

Name: Bastien
Gestation Born: 32+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 1599 grams
Time spent in hospital: 26 days
Age Now: 15 months

____________________________

Name: Thomas
Gestation Born: 32+4 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.900 kg
Time spent in hospital: 32 days
Age Now: 6.5 months

____________________________

Name: Zac
Gestation Born: 32+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 2055 grams
Time spent in hospital: 30 days
Age Now:16 months old

___________________________

Name: Natasha
Gestation Born: 32 weeks gestation
Weight: 1900 grams
Time spent in hospital: 37 days
Age Now:2years 4months

___________________________

Name: Anna
Gestation Born: 32+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 1900 grams
Time spent in hospital: 23 days
Age Now: 2 years old

____________________________

Name: Aliyah Lucette Olise
Gestation Born: 32 weeks gestation
Weight: 2125 grams
Time spent in hospital: 14 days
Age Now: 5 years old

____________________________

Name:  Baily
Gestation Born: 32 weeks
Weight: 2383 grams
Time spent in hospital:  25 days
Age Now: 13 months

_____________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

____________________

Name: Charlie
Born: 28+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 1287 grams
Time spent in hospital: 70 days
Age Now: 17 months old

_________________

Name: Isla May
Born: 28 weeks gestation
Weight: 750 grams
Time spent in hospital: 70 days
Age Now: 7.5 months (actual)

_____________________

Name: Blake
Born: 28+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 715 grams
Time spent in hospital: 364 days
Age Now: 18 months old

____________________

Name: Jade
Born: 28+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 725 grams
Time spent in hospital: 64 days
Age Now: 10 months (7 corrected)

___________________

Name: Indiana Faith
Born: 28+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1045 grams
Time spent in hospital: 63 days
Age Now: 2 yrs 11 mths

____________________

Name: Lleyton Douglas
Born: 28 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.153kg
Time spent in hospital: 59 days
Age Now: 22 months

____________________

Name: Nick
Gestation Born: 28 weeks gestation
Weight: 1485kg
Time spent in hospital: 50+
Age Now: 16 years old

_____________________

Name: Evelyn
Gestation Born: 28 + 3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.188kg
Time spent in hospital: 80 nights
Age Now: 16 months

_____________________

Name: Zayne Connor
Gestation Born: 28+5 weeks gestation
Weight: 1280 grams
Time spent in hospital: 60 days
Age Now: 11 months

____________________

Name: Indie
Gestation Born: 28+5 weeks gestation
Weight: 1320 grams
Time spent in hospital: 51 days
Age Now: 8 months

______________________

Name: Millie
Gestation Born: 28+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1250 grams
Time spent in hospital: 70 days
Age Now: 7 months actual – 4 corrected

______________________

Name: Anabel Bonita
Gestation Born: 28 weeks gestation
Weight: 1.05kgs
Time spent in hospital: 69 days
Age Now: 2 years old

______________________

Name: Ameerah
Gestation Born: 28+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1150grams
Time spent in hospital: 56 days
Age Now:13 months

______________________

Name: James
Gestation Born: 28+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1187 grams
Time spent in hospital: 3 months
Age Now: 7 months, 5 months corrected

________________________

Name: James
Gestation Born: 28+1 weeks gestation
Weight: 1187 grams
Time spent in hospital: 3 months
Age Now: 9 half months / 7 months corrected

________________________

Name: Alejandro
Gestation Born: 28+5 weeks
Weight: 1.19 kg/2 lbs 10 oz
Time spent in hospital: 88 days/11weeks 5 day
Age Now: 6 years old

________________________

Name: Taylah
Gestation Born: 28+1 weeks
Weight: 1024g
Time spent in hospital:  98 days
Age Now: 9 mths (corrected)

________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

____________

Name: Oscar
Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 1385 grams
Time spent in hospital: 4 weeks
Age Now: 2 years old

____________________

Name: Emily Rose
Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 2210 grams
Time spent in hospital: 6 days
Age Now: 26 months

_____________________

Name: Hunter
Gestation Born: 35+2wks
Weight: 1705gms (3lb 11oz)
Time spent in hospital: 32 days
Age Now: 4 years 1month

____________________

Name: Sahara Grace
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 2490 grams
Time spent in hospital: 2 days
Age Now: 15 months old

____________________

Name: Hannah
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 3590g (7lb 14oz)
Time spent in hospital: 6 days
Age Now: 17 months

_____________________

Name: Jackson
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 3695g (8lb 2oz)
Time spent in hospital: 6 days
Age Now:3 years 2 months

______________________

Name: Olivia June
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 2030grams
Time spent in hospital: 10 days
Age Now:4 years

______________________

Name: Patrick Harold
Gestation Born: 35+4weeks
Weight: 1110 grams
Time spent in hospital: 8 weeks
Age Now:2yrs 1 wk

______________________

Name: Harrison
Gestation Born: 35+2 weeks
Weight: 1990 grams
Time spent in hospital: 26 days
Age Now: 6 months

________________________

Name: Ayden
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 3620 grams
Time spent in hospital: 11 days
Age Now: 8 months

________________________

Name: Olivia
Gestation Born: 35+1 weeks
Weight: 2265 grams
Time spent in hospital: 16 days
Age Now: 9 months

________________________

Name: Tyler
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight: 2565g ( 5 pound 10 )
Time spent in hospital: 11 days
Age Now:11 months old

________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

______________

Name: Tristan
Born: 34+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 3090 grams
Time in hospital: 8 days
Age Now: 9 months old

___________________

Name: Amelia
Born: 34+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 2.73kg
Time spent in hospital: 31 Days
Age Now: 21 months

___________________

Name: Logan
Gestation Born: 34 + 5 weeks gestation
Weight: 2.455kg
Time spent in hospital: 7 nights
Age Now: 3 years

_____________________

Name: Cherry-Lee
Gestation Born: 34 weeks gestation
Weight: 2055 grams
Time spent in hospital: 49 days
Age Now: 8 months

______________________

Name: Loki
Gestation Born: 34+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 2505 grams
Time spent in hospital: 14 days
Age Now: 3 months old

______________________

Name: Joey
Gestation Born: 34 weeks gestation
Weight: 1336 grams
Time spent in hospital: 52 days
Age Now: 2.5 years old

______________________

Name: Jasmine
Gestation Born: 34+5 weeks gestation
Weight: 2870 grams
Time spent in hospital: 7 days
Age Now: 10 months

______________________

Name: Thomas
Gestation Born: 34 weeks gestation
Weight: 1714 grams
Time spent in hospital: 52 days
Age Now: 6 months old

______________________

Name: Omar II
Gestation Born: 34+1 weeks
Weight: 2.6kg / 5 lbs 15 oz
Time spent in hospital: 3 days
Age Now: 4 years old

_______________________

Name: Dontay
Gestation Born: 34+5 weeks
Weight: 4lb 5oz
Time spent in hospital: 17 days
Age Now: 2yrs 7mths

_______________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

View the amazing photos below of children born at 33 weeks gestation from the first few weeks of life in hospital to being at home with their families. Each premature baby has a unique journey and we hope this area will give you inspiration for the road ahead.

___________________

Name: Nixon
Born: 33+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 2296 grams
Time in hospital: 27 Days
Age Now: 4 years old

_____________________

Name: Nakita
Born: 33+4 weeks
Weight: 2350 grams
Time spent in hospital: 11 days
Age Now: 21 months

_________________________

Name: Samuel
Gestation Born: 33+5 weeks
Weight: 1620g
Time spent in hospital: 41 days
Age Now: 6mths old

__________________________

Name: Charlie Piper
Gestation Born: 33+ 5 weeks
Weight: 2020 grams
Time spent in hospital: 20 days
Age Now: 6.5 months

__________________________

Name: Ethan Max
Gestation Born: 33 weeks
Weight: 2170g
Time spent in hospital: 28 days
Age Now: 2.5 years

__________________________

Name: Riley Claire
Gestation Born: 33+4 weeks
Weight: 2305 grams
Time spent in hospital: 21 days
Age Now: 8 months

__________________________

Name: Ava Grace
Gestation Born: 33+4 weeks
Weight: 1531 grams (3 pound 6 ounces)
Time spent in hospital: 19 days
Age Now: 3 years

__________________________

Name: Chloe
Gestation Born: 33 weeks
Weight: 2620 grams
Time spent in hospital: 21 days
Age Now: 5 months

_________________________

Name: Logan
Gestation Born: 33 weeks
Weight: 2220 grams
Time spent in hospital: 29 days
Age Now: 5 years old

________________________

Name: Lachlan
Gestation Born: 33+6 weeks
Weight: 1720gms
Time spent in hospital: 23 days
Age Now: 4 years 3 months

________________________

Name: Alexis Maeve
Gestation Born: 33 + 4 weeks
Weight: 1.54kg
Time spent in hospital: 31 days
Age Now: 4 yrs 8 mths

________________________

Name: Dane
Gestation Born: 33 weeks
Weight: 3015gms
Time spent in hospital: 28 days
Age Now: 8 months

________________________

Name: Erica Bonnie
Gestation Born: 33wks
Weight: 1839 grams
Time spent in hospital: 34 days
Age Now:3yrs

_______________________

Name: Charlie
Gestation Born: 33+1 weeks
Weight: 2045 grams
Time spent in hospital: 48 days
Age Now:9 1/2 months

_______________________

Name: Selene
Gestation Born: 33+2 weeks
Weight: 2040 grams
Time spent in hospital: 4 weeks
Age Now: 12 months

________________________

Name: Elyana
Gestation Born: 33 weeks
Weight: 2252 grams
Time spent in hospital: 35 days
Age Now:11 months

________________________

Name: Johnathan
Gestation Born: 33+2 weeks
Weight: 2.5kg / 5 1/2 pounds
Time spent in hospital: 25 days
Age Now: 15 months old

_________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

___________________

Name: Ronan
Born: 27+3 weeks gestation
Weight: 1140 grams
Time in hospital: 110 Days
Age Now: 5 years old

_______________________________________

Name: Emma
Born: 27 weeks gestation
Weight: 510 grams
Time spent in hospital:
Age Now: 5 years old

___________________

Name: Sophie
Born: 27 weeks gestation
Weight: 1141 grams
Time spent in hospital: 99 days
Age Now: 4 1/2yrs old

________________

Name: Emily
Born: 27 weeks gestation
Weight: 1174 grams
Time spent in hospital: 13 weeks
Age Now: 5 years old

____________________

Name: Charlie
Born: 27+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 618 grams
Time spent in hospital: 116 days
Age Now: 3 years old

________________________

Name: Arielle
Born: 27 +1 weeks gestation
Weight: 605 grams
Time spent in hospital: 87 days
Age Now: 20 months (1 1/2)

________________________

Name: Elisha
Gestation Born: 27+6 weeks gestation
Weight: 1082 grams
Time spent in hospital: 67 days
Age Now: 17 months old

_________________________

Name: Emily
Gestation Born: 27+4 weeks gestation
Weight: 1065g
Time spent in hospital: 100 days
Age Now: 3yrs, 6mths

______________________

 Name: Oscar
Gestation Born: 27 weeks gestation
Weight: 946 grams
Time spent in hospital: 78 days
Age Now: 9.1 months (actual). 6.1 months (corrected)

_________________________

Name: Aaron
Gestation Born: 27 weeks gestation
Weight: 1120 grams
Time spent in hospital: 12 weeks
Age Now: Nearly 4yrs old

_________________________

Name: Cooper Cornwell
Gestation Born: 27+5 wks
Weight: 780 grams
Time spent in hospital: 120 days
Age Now: 46 months old

 _______________________________

If you would like to submit photos of your premature baby please fill out the following form.

Adelaide

Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup
Where: North Adelaide Community Centre- Institute Building (right behind North Adelaide Library
When: Fortnightly on Thursdays (during the SA school terms)
Address: 176 Tynte Street, North Adelaide
Time: 10:00 – 12:00pm
Cost: Free – includes morning tea
Contact: 1300 MBABIES (1300 622 243) or info@miraclebabies.org.au

____________________________

Elizabeth Vale

PIPA
Where: Lyell McEwin Hospital
Address: Haydown Road, Elizabeth Vale
When: Every 4th Tuesday of the month
Time: 9.00am to 11.00am
Cost: Free
Contact: Shari – 8524 3601
Other Details: All premmie families are welcome

Please contact the number supplied beforehand as we are unsure if this playgroup is still meeting.

____________________________

Woodcroft

Women Who Have Been There
“Neonatal Mums Playgroup”
Where: Woodcroft Children’s Centre
When: Fortnightly on Fridays (during school term)
Address: 25 Investigator Drive Woodcroft
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm
Cost: Free – including morning tea for kids and parents
Contact: Jenny 0407 186 851, jennyjoy@bigpond.com. All Neonatal Bubs and Families welcome (and other silblings 0-5yr old also)

Please feel free to download their latest newsletter for further details about the group.

_______________________________

Please contact us if you have a premmie playgroup and would like it added to our website

Visit www.tasteofsydney.com.au

We are receiving some amazing nominations for our 2010 “Local Premmie Hero Awards”. We will be regularly sharing the wonderful achievements of our nominees over the coming months. Our nominees give so much to help others in the premmie community. We are sure that they will inspire you.

Our wonderful team of judges have a very hard task ahead.

If you know of a “premmie hero” who volunteers their time to help families nominate them today.

_______________________

Toby – South Australia

Toby’s outstanding achievement in putting together to raise money for the Flinders Medical centre NICU is the reason why he has been nominated. Toby has organised an event called ” butts on bikes for bubs” where a group of ten riders are riding from Melbourne to Adelaide to raise money for medical equipment for the NICU. Toby is humble, giving by nature and see’s this ride as a way for him to give back to the community and people touched by premature birth. Toby is taking along 9 other riders who are all amateurs at long distance riding and under Toby’s guidance and motivation they are taking on the challenge. So far the group collectively has raised $10,000 and they hope to raise more before the ride which takes place in May 2010. Toby has set up a web site so people can sponsor online and keep track of dollars raised at www.everydayhero.com.au. He has organised events locally including a quiz night and is putting his heart and soul into this event to raise more money. Organising the event it has been a pinnacle in his life and completing it will be the icing on the cake.

_____________________

Helen – New South Wales

Helen works tirelessly to assist new mums and dads of premature babies in Orange. She is always the first one at the hospital to greet new parents and always has a hand knitted teddy bear for each baby. Jodie (her great neice) had the pleasure of transferring to Orange Base Hospital after 101 days in Canberra NICU with her two surviving triplets. Helen was there with a smile from ear to ear to greet them with teddy bears and bonnets and booties. The time she dedicates to this service in invaluable.

___________________________

Parool – Victoria

In 2003 Parool had a premature baby boy & at the time there was no support available to parents. Parool decided she had to change this so in 2005 together with 5 other premmie mums they started the charity Lifes Little Treasures of which she is now president and played a major role is forming the Premmie Foundation. She works tirelessly to provide the support network that families require on leaving hospital & most importantly strives to create awareness amongst the community.

Over the years she has made many personal sacrifices because what LLT stands for was so important to her & her beliefs. If she not on the phone she on the email 24/7, always working even on holidays!. Her ultimate wish is to provide information, support and encouragement to families with premature babies, empowering them to achieve the best outcomes for their children. She is always available when needed by a family & will do everything in her power to assist them.  She has a dream and is well on the way to fulfilling it. She’ll never take no for an answer! we are blessed to have her on our side…

_______________________

Dr Cartwright – Queensland

Dr Cartwright goes above and beyond his role in NICU/SCN at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital. Dr Cartwright basically never goes home, he is there early to late EVERY day, he rarely takes weekends off and when he is on holidays he rings in to ask about his patients. In fact he’s been known to ring in during the early hours of the morning at other times. He has rung his patients mobiles on many occasions post NICU to check on how their children are going and always makes sure that he does follow up appointments himself. He is also very involved if not the driving force behind a lot of research and development in the premature baby world. He has written textbooks and other publications on the care of extremely premature babies which is insightful to parents of prems.

_______________________

Stephanie – Queensland

Stephanie & her identical twin sister were born at 31 weeks gestation in 1996 and spent 6 weeks in hospital. From the age of 12 months until 5 years of age Stephanie suffered from numerous hospital admissions due to breathing difficulties and allergies. During this time she was desperately underweight and always looked unwell. Finally at aged 5, two ENT (ear, nose and throat) operations helped her to overcome her problems and since that time she has never looked back. From that time on she has taken every opportunity to enjoy life, be involved in numerous sports and to help other community members. Stephanie is now aged nearly 14 and is an athletic, healthy teenager. In 2007 aged 11, Stephanie decided she needed to do something to help other premature babies. She signed up to fundraise for the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Since that day Stephanie has worked over 100 hours annually to fundraise for the unit and done so much more. Without corporate contacts her fundraising has been through an enormous amount of time and effort.

To date Stephanie has raised $15,000 for the NICU and also highlighted and promoted the work carried out by the unit and the need for fundraising to be carried out for the hospital. This has been through numerous newspaper and magazine articles and web site information. She was the premature baby who is now helping other premature babies and their families.

________________________

Sarah – Queensland

Sarah has founded a network for Central QLD mums and dads of premature babies and has been working hard to get a website up and running full of useful and very helpful information called CQ Prems. As well as this she is a mum of four (2 of which were premmies) and is also studing nursing at university. Sarah has a lot on her plate yet she still manages to find time to help others. Sarah is an integral committee member for the National Premmie Foundation which hold National Premmie Day celebrations throughout the country each year. Sarah is a “go getter” and puts everything she has into providing the best support to families.

___________________________

Nola – Western Australia

Nola is the grandmother to little Gemma born at 30 weeks gestation weighing 920 grams (a surviving twin). Nola lives in Western Australia and was nominated by her daughter. Since her grand daughter was 4 weeks old Nola has been sewing humidy crib covers, matching bags, peanut pillows and clothes for premmie and tiny babies and donating them to the King Edward Memorial Hospital in WA with all material funded by herself and a few lovely friends. She also takes in regular updates and photo’s of Gemma into the hospital to help give others hope at the end of the sometimes long and very daunting tunnel. Nola has been a rock for her daughter and the many families with babies in the King Edward Memorial Hospital who are the lucky recipients of her good will and love for our precious premature babies.

________________________________________

Nominate your “premmie hero” today.

Visit

The Sydney Morning Herald Announcements

]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-birth-announcement-special-offer/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/mums-in-business/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/mums-in-business/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:52:15 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/?p=2769

If you would like your own “business space” on the forum an annual subscription fee will be $5.00 for 12 months. L’il Aussie Prems proudly supports mums and dads in business.

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Thank you for supporting L’il Aussie Prems and our “Premmie Hero Awards”

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Parents Names: Mathew and Mary
Hospital where your baby was born: Launceston General Hospital
State: TAS
Premmie baby’s name(s): Petalynnn Rose
Premmie baby’s year of birth(s): 2009
Length of stay: 2 months or so
Baby’s gestation: 32 Weeks
Your thank you message: Thankyou to all the staff of the Nicu at the LGH Our baby girl has so many aunty’s now. If it wasn’t for you guy’s I don’t know how we would have gotten through.
______________________________

If you would like to submit a thank you message to your hospital please fill out our submission form.

Do you know a

“Local Premmie Hero”

Someone who volunteers their time supporting families of premature babies?

Nominations are now closed for 2010

(Nominees do not need to have any premature children of their own)

Please visit our FAQ’s page

Every year in Australia, thousands of babies are born prematurely. Their families ride a rollercoaster of emotions as they watch their children fight to overcome the health and developmental issues facing them as a result of their early arrival. These issues continue long after the babies are discharged from hospital.

L’il Aussie Prems is seeking nominations from around Australia of “local premmie heroes” – the ordinary yet extraordinary people who give up their time to volunteer & support the families of premature babies both during their hospital stay and afterwards, doing everything from sewing tiny clothing for very low birth weight babies to setting up local playgroups for prematurely born children to organising fundraising for research into the causes of premature birth, the list is endless.

If you know someone special who helps to the make the journey easier for the many families in the premature community nominate them today!

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Our Premmie Hero Award Sponsors

Thanks to our Award Supporters

]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-baby-hero-awards/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/eeni-meeni-miini-moh-pure-newborn-collection/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/eeni-meeni-miini-moh-pure-newborn-collection/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:15:18 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/?p=2166 [Continue Reading]]]>

PURE Newborn Collection

eeni meeni miini moh®’s PURE newborn collection is a contemporary range of apparel, linen and accessory products for babies sized Newborn (0000) and 0-3 months (000).

Featuring a very fine stripe for the first time, the eeni meeni miini moh Pure newborn collection is available in two limited edition signature eeni meeni miini moh colours – ‘Sorbet’ and ‘Haze’, as well as its ever-popular ‘Pure White’.

eeni meeni miini moh®’s ever-popular signature ‘PURE’ styles including its hooded jumpsuit, playsuit, t-shirts, leggings, knotted beanie, sleeping sack and hooded towel combine with new items such as a dress and bloomer, bucket hat, bodysuit, hooded jacket and wool cashmere wrap/throw.  This is the first time that eeni meeni miini moh® has used cashmere in any of its collections and it feels wonderful!

Produced from premium quality 100% natural fabrics such as pure cotton, wool and cashmere, the PURE newborn collection is extremely durable and easy to care for.

For more information please visit www.eenimeeni.com

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View the latest PURE Newborn Brochure

]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/eeni-meeni-miini-moh-pure-newborn-collection/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/competition/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/competition/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:50:48 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/?p=2059 [Continue Reading]]]> Are you sick of hearing “Mum, are we there yet?” or “Dad, I’m bored!” – well Ickle Kids helps parents to entertain their kids when they are out and about. Our unique range includes travel toys, kids’ activity packs and educational toys to entertain kids when they are travelling in cars or planes, dining out at restaurants or a rainy day at home.

For a chance to win ickle Kids’ best selling educational toy – “Pull the String” (valued at $28), visit their online store www.icklekids.com.au and tell us in 25 words or less “what is your child’s favourite toy from the ickle Kids range and why?” Please email your entry to us at admin@lilaussieprems.com.au

Closing date is Sunday 15th November. The winner will be notified by email and will be announced in the next newsletter. As part of entering, all entrants will be subscribed to the ickle Kids newsletters. Please note, anyone wishing to unsubscribe can easily do so at a later date.

The medical teams create miracles everyday saving our premmie babies and even some born as early as 22 weeks. Their dedication and passion shines through our childrens smiles and laughter.

As a community of families touched by the premature journey we want to give back to hospitals around Australia to say thanks starting in 2010. The community here at L’il Aussie Prems are very excited to announce that once a year we will be collecting gifts from around Australia to send to one hospital chosen by the public. Each year a different hospital will be chosen to spread the good will from families. We enourage families of premature babies and the public to join with us in “giving back”.

Please vote in our poll currently on the website for your chosen hospital. The list of hospitals have been chosen by our members and will be rotating each year so every hospital will benefit.

Please feel free to join the forum and let us know what you would like to donate. You can donate books for families to read to their babies whilst in hospital, if you are crafty you can create name tags for each baby, sew or knit, the list is endless.

The poll will be visable on the website for a period of 3 months. We will be updating this page as details come to light so be sure to keep checking back.

Premmie Babies Name: Charlee-Belle
Gestation Born: 31+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 1675 grams
Length When Born: 42cm
Current Age: 6 months
Current Weight Now: 6kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: We have been very luck, Charlee Belle has no ongoing medical conditions. She spent 5 weeks in special care at Jessie Mac Monash.

Advice From Parents: Giving birth to a prem baby is such an unexpected journey, ask the Nicu nurses about all the amazing miracles they have seen… this gave me so much hope and you are allowed to cry… you cant be strong the whole time.

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Premmie Babies Name: Cooper and Charlotte
Gestation Born: 31+1 weeks
Weight When Born: Cooper 1.34kg and Charlotte 1.13kgs
Length When Born: Cooper 37cm and Charlotte 35 cms
Current Age: 5 months
Current Weight Now: Cooper 4.8kg and Charlotte 4.9kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: I have not had any problems with my babies. Charlotte was on cpap for 7 days and they did say she may have problems but we have been so fortunate that there hasnt been any and every time the go to the drs whether it is the paed or the eye dr or the hearing dr they have always got gold stars
Advice From Parents: Take as many pitures as you can because you will forget how small they really are. Make sure you get the number of where your baby is and call at any time of the night or day. The nurses do really understand what you feel so if you are sad or down talk to one of them they will let you know you are having normal feelings and take every day as it is.

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Premature Babies Name: William
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight When Born: 1890gm
Length When Born: 41cms
Current Age: 15 mths
Current Weight Now: 11.8kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Will was only 20 wks gestation when they noticed his renal pelvic dilatation (kidneys are dilated due to a blockage). Following tests at approx 3 months drs also found that he has moderate renal ureteric reflux. This appears to be all ok and will be monitored for the next few years with regular ultrasounds. Apart from that no one could tell that he was anything but a ‘normal’ 15 month old – cheeky and very determined! He surprises us daily with his quick mind and rapid development.

Advice From Parents: Whatever you are feeling, it is ok and someone has been there before! Ask around. There are things that all premmie parents grieve such as the missed moments after birth while your miracle is whisked away (sometimes great distances) to be looked after by someone who isn’t you. But we also gain so much – including the enormous appreciation for how strong our babies can be and how precious they are to us.

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Premature Babies Name: Jade Melissa
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight When Born: 1674 grams
Length When Born: 43 cm
Current Age: 6.5 months
Current Weight Now: 6.5 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jade has done extremely well with no ill affects.

Advice From Parents: Try and not let your precious little bundle know how upset or stressed your feeling (he/ she are very receptive to your moods). If you try to be positive (& it can be hard to be all the time), it’ll make you feel better & your bubba too

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Premature Babies Name: Sakura Jade
Gestation Born: 31+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 1.587kgs
Length When Born: 42cms
Current Age: 13 months old
Current Weight Now: 9.5kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: We were very fortunate that after my membranes ruptured at 30+4 weeks I did not go into labour straight away and the steriod shots had time to take effect. I was on bed rest at RNS until Sakura was born naturally (yes it is possible to have a natural birth with a premmie! – just stay calm and do yoga & pilates while pregnant.). Sakura was on CPAP for 36hrs and came home after 12 days in the NICU and 21 days in SCN. Physically she is slightly behind her corrected age (nearly crawling) but she is babbling on and her motor skills are great. She has no ongoing medical issues.

Advice From Parents: Stay calm. Being naive to what was happening was actually a blessing. We didn’t tour the NICU before she was born and really didn’t know what to expect. Take each day as it comes. These little premmies are tough little treasures!

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Premature Babies Name: Divine Kho
Gestation Born: 31 weeks
Weight When Born: 1590 grams
Length When Born: 41cms
Current Age: 17mths old
Current Weight Now: 11kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Her interactive skills are good, but she’s not walking yet. I am excitedly waiting for her first steps soon!

Advice From Parents: I don’t refer to my baby as premature or incomplete.

I tell everyone that she’s been completed early, and that she’s an early baby. I feel that it’s really important for both parent, the child, and their environment not to be labeled premature. This outlook is very important, and will grow to be more important once your child understands that he/she has not been given a lesser chance in the world. They are equals.

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Premature Babies Name: Thomas
Gestation Born: 31+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 1860 grams
Length When Born: 42 cms
Current Age: 5 months and 4 days
Current Weight Now: 7.5 kilos
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: I am from the country and at 28 weeks was flown to KEMH because I had broken my waters I stayed there for 3 and half weeks until a uterine infection forced me to be induced. I had my lil 31 and 6er naturally and he was perfect. He had cpap for two hours then oxygen for only 12 hours. He started suck feeding only two weeks later and we were sent home when he was 36 and 2. He was fully breastfed until 3 months old when I had to start giving him supplement top up. I couldn’t keep up with him. He has been full bottle fed now for a month and doing fantastic. He is hitting his milestones as any other five month old would. He just learnt how to roll over and gets frustrated because he is trying to crawl but he isn’t moving any where. He is such a strong lil boy and you can see he is going to be a 6 foot something like his dad.

Advice From Parents: If you have a question ask it. You will find the midwives more then happy to answer. Also find a support network to help you. I made a great group of friends with other premmie mums and they kept me sane through it all as we could understand what each of us were going through.

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If you would like to submit details about your premmie baby please fill out our submission form

A HUGE thank you to the amazing photographers who have dontated prizes to each of the winners in their states. Please support those who support our premmie families. You can view their details here

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QLD Winner

Mum: Victoria
Child: Kadee born at 25 weeks weighing 752 grams

Miss Kadee trying to imitate Daddy’s favourite band … KISS

Kadee will receive a photography package from Emotive Images

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WA Winner

Mum: Helena
Child: Ava born at 25 weeks weighing 535 grams

dr EVIL!!

Ava will receive a photography package from Laura Winchester Photography

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NSW Winner

Mum: Becca
Child: Madeline born at 28 weeks weighing 940 grams

Saying it like it is!

Madeline will receive a photography package from L K Photography

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SA Winner

Mum: Victoria
Child: Nakita born at 33 weeks weighing 2350 grams

I better stay very sery still… or it might eat me!

Nakita will receive a photography package from Head in the Clouds Photography

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ACT Winner

Mum: Pixie
Child: Talia born at 27 weeks weighing 700 grams

SPRUNG!!!

Talia will receive a photography package from Folio9 Photography

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VIC Winner

Mum: Danielle
Child: Harrison born at 34 weeks weighing 2300 grams

Mr Muscle!!!

Harrison will receive a photography package from Maree Jaegar Photography

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Thank you to everyone who entered! It was a really hard decision as all the photos were hilarious.

]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-photo-competition-winners/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/messages-to-loved-ones-in-2008/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/messages-to-loved-ones-in-2008/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:27:09 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/?p=1923 [Continue Reading]]]> We invite you to submit details of your loved one(s) who were with you every step of the way throughout your journey after giving birth to a premature baby. Whether it was your parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, sister, brother or great friends.

Parent(s) first name(s): Julia & Mark
Premmie baby’s name(s): Tristan
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 36 weeks
Hospital where born: Monash Medical Centre
Length of stay: 5 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2008
Name(s) of loved one(s): Dianne
Relationship to child/ren: Grandma
Thing you remember most about their support:
My mum flew down from Sydney to be there for the birth of her 2nd grandson. I was booked in for an induction and she didn’t care about the cost, as long as she was here to share that special moment.
Parents special message of thanks:
Thank you mum! You are always there for us and so supportive. Thankfully you made it to Tristan’s birth and i remember seeing your tears once he was born, just beautiful! It will be forever in my mind the moment i gave birth and when you told me how proud you were.

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Parent(s) first name(s): Janelle and Alex
Premmie baby’s name(s): Chloe
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 31+5 weeks
Hospital where born: Monash Medical Centre
Length of stay: 5 weeks
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2008
Name(s) of loved one(s): Maria, Robert, Nicole, Lee, Lyn, David, Julia and Sean
Relationship to child/ren: Grandparents, uncles and aunties!
Thing you remember most about their support: I just remember them being there, if we had issues, or questions, and they just provided emotional support. We’re thankful for their help.

Parents special message of thanks: Thanks so much for everything you guys did for us!
It was a hard journey and couldn’t have done it without you guys.
We love you all!!
xxx

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If you wish to submit a message to your loved one(s) please use our online form

Parent(s) first name(s): Julia & Mark
Premmie baby’s name(s): Ronan
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 27+3 weeks
Hospital where born: Monash Medical Centre
Length of stay: 110 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2006
Name(s) of loved one(s): Dianne & Belinda
Relationship to child/ren: Grandma & Aunty
Thing you remember most about their support:
The daily phone calls of support and wanting to be kept up to date with how Ronan progressed whilst in NICU/SCN. Their support was amazing throughout Ronan’s long journey and whilst they were in a different state not a day went by where they never rang to hear about his progress.
Parents special message of thanks:
Thank for your love and understanding throughout Ronan’s birth and hospital stay. We are forever grateful for feeling like we had somewhere to turn when the rollercoaster ride was going down on some days. Family is so important and we cannot thank you enough for always thinking of us. xx

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If you wish to submit a message to your loved one(s) please use our online form

Parent(s) first name(s): Freya
Premmie baby’s name(s): Alexa Smith-Hall
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 29 weeks
Hospital where born: Royal Women Melbourne
Length of stay: 9 weeks
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2009
Name(s) of loved one(s): Don and Pam
Relationship to child/ren: Grandparents
Thing you remember most about their support: Always being there, always putting Alexa and I first, always staying strong and never allowing the odds to dampen our spirit.

Parents special message of thanks: Mum and Dad you have always been there for me no matter what i have needed. You have never given up on me. You are adoring and doting grandparents to Alexa. Not a day goes by where I dont feel greatful that you are my parents. We love you- always- Freya and Alexa xxooo

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Parent(s) first name(s): Charlotte
Premmie baby’s name(s): Lydia
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 23+2 weeks
Hospital where born: Womens and Childrens Hospital, Adelaide.
Length of stay: 112 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2009
Name(s) of loved one(s): Dee
Relationship to child/ren: Grandmother
Thing you remember most about their support: She was always there, day in and day out. Taking me to the hospital everyday to see my baby. I wouldn’t have been so strong without her help. She kept me sane!

Parents special message of thanks: Thank you mum for going through all that I had to go through. I know it was the hardest thing watching me go through all of it, but I appreciate to no end what you have done, and continue to do for me and your first grandchild! We love you unconditionally! xxx

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Parent(s) first name(s): Paul and Christine
Premmie baby’s name(s): Ethan
Premmie baby’s gestation(s): 25+1 days
Hospital where born: The Townsville Hospital
Length of stay: 147 days
Premmie baby’s birth year(s) 2009
Name(s) of loved one(s): Bill and Elaine
Relationship to child/ren: Grandparents
Thing you remember most about their support: Visits to the hospital everyday to monitor Ethan’s progress and support us

Parents special message of thanks: Your support meant so much to us. To have you there everyday helping us and pryaing for Ethan was a godsend. You were our rock through our ups and downs. Words are not enough to thank you for your ongoing support

________________________________

If you wish to submit a message to your loved one(s) please use our online form

Premmie Babies Name: Timothy
Gestation Born: 36 + 3weeks
Weight When Born: 2.63 kg
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 2 yrs old
Current Weight Now: 15.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Tim suffered horribly from undiagnosed silent reflux for the first 5 months of his life. He fed every two hours for the first 4 weeks, which led to enormous sleep deprivation for all involved. We went to sleep school at 5 months, and were placed on milanta, which made an enormous difference. Since then he has progressed brilliantly, and overtaken his older (by 20 months)sister’s weight. He has achieved all of his developmental milestones to date. He is an absolutely delightful, cheeky, two year old who loves discovering the world around him.

Advice From Parents: Accept your child for whom they are. Don’t label them with problems just because of their gestational age. Tim at 36 weeks, caused us more dramas than his sister who was born at 32 weeks. Whatever gestation your baby is born at focus on what they achieve, not what they cannot achieve!
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Premmie Babies Name: Tristan Neil
Gestation Born: 36 weeks
Weight When Born: 3150 grams
Length When Born: 51cms
Current Age: 10 months
Current Weight Now: approx 12kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Nothing that we can tell so far. He is slow however reaching his milestones but he is a really big boy so we are not sure if that is the main reason.

Advice From Parents: Premmie babies are amazing with their fight for life. Believe in your miracle and take heaps of photos so you can see them grow each day. My first son was born at 27 weeks so we were very pleased to reach 36 weeks with our second son. Be sure to talk to other parents whilst in the NICU/SCN as they are a great support.

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Premature Babies Name: Rhiannon Nicole
Gestation Born: 36 Weeks
Weight When Born: 2245 grams
Length When Born:
Current Age: 24 months
Current Weight Now: 10kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Rhiannon has been a delight ever since she was born, being a 3rd child/premmie/daughter she has picked up everything quickly and is relatively easy going. Rhiannon has never had any issues. She was only in the SCN because she was smaller in weight than expected, so there was not much room for weight loss in her first few days. She came home only 9 days after her birth, 4 days after me.

Advice From Parents: Be involved in every part of your baby’s care. Listen to all the advice, but only accept and utilise that which you feel is right for you. Everyone is an expert when it comes to babies (just ask them!!!), trust your instincts you will know what is right for your child!

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Premature Babies Name: Ocean Dawn
Gestation Born: 36 weeks
Weight When Born: 1280 grams
Length When Born: 37cm
Current Age: 4 months
Current Weight Now: 1580 grams
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Ocean has trouble keeping weight on as she constantly gets a lot of colic, and may have a hearing problem with left ear

Advice From Parents: When your child suffers from colic, you can get special fomula from your local chemist and keep them over your shoulder when bringing up wind.

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Premmies Name: Rhiannon Nicole
Gestation Born: 36 Weeks
Weight When Born: 2245 grams
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 24 months
Current Weight Now: 10 kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Rhiannon has been a delight ever since she was born, being a 3rd child/premmie/daughter she has picked up everything quickly and is relatively easy going. Rhiannon has never had any issues. She was only in the SCN because she was smaller in weight than expected, so there was not much room for weight loss in her first few days. She came home only 9 days after her birth, 4 days after me.

Advice From Parents: Be involved in every part of your baby’s care. Listen to all the advice, but only accept and utilise that which you feel is right for you. Everyone is an expert when it comes to babies (just ask them!!!), trust your instincts you will know what is right for your child!

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If you would like to submit details about your premmie baby please fill out our submission form

Imse Vimse
Organic Covers

Imse Vimse Organic covers with Imse Vimse’s awarded leg gussets to keep everything contained. These are my personal favourite covers, the first modern cloth cover that I have tried and no matter what I’ve had after these I always go back to these for a reliable, leakproof two piece system.

Vimse Organic AIO

This is a sized AIO nappy with a very modern design. It comes in 2 colours, either white or zoo which are both gender neutral which is great when you don’t know bubs sex or want to use it on multiple children. The newborn size is a great fit from day 1 and may fit unto 6 months on the average Australian baby. The design is very unique with a large Velcro panel on the front which makes it fit so well for a big size range. The Imse Vimse AIO overlaps in sizing so you only need to buy a maximum of 3 sizes, some people can get away with 2. A great priced nappy for Organic.

Bumpkins Superbib

The Bumkins superbib is a fabulous product for all babies. These bibs are wipe down so you don’t need to get heaps of them and they come in really fun prints that your toddler will love to wear. They even have a pouch to catch food in rather then landing in bubs lap. Great design, great prints, save on washing up loved by mum and bub!

Imse Vimse Swim Nappies & Tankini’s

Hit the pool or beach this year in the platinum award winning Imse Vimse swimwear. The Swim Nappy is exactly that – a swim nappy, nothing else but bub required! The Swim Nappy comes in 16 fun prints and the Tankini in 6 prints to match, you can also get non slip swim shoes which will protect bubs feet at the beach and prevent them slipping over at the pool.

Please visit New Age Nappies for further details
www.newagenappies.com.au

We invite you to submit details of your loved one(s) who were with you every step of the way. Whether it was your parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, sister, brother or great friends.

Please also see our “thanks of the month” page

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]]> http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/messages-to-loved-ones/feed/ 0 http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-babies-born-at-35-weeks/ http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/premmie-babies-born-at-35-weeks/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:15:08 +0000 trikiron http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/?p=1591 Read the inspirational stories of courage and fight for survival from these amazing premature babies born at 35 weeks gestation throughout Australia including advice from their parents.

Premmie Babies Name: Emily Rose
Gestation Born: 35 weeks
Weight When Born: 2210g
Length When Born: 46cm
Current Age: 19 months
Current Weight Now: 11.8kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Emily has no ongoing issues.
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Premmie Babies Name: Andrew Raymond Bede
Gestation Born: 35 weeks + 3 days
Weight When Born: 3228g
Length When Born: 47.5cm
Current Age: 3 months and 3 days
Current Weight Now: 6.8kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: When Andrew was born the only real problem he had was that he hadn’t yet developed his sucking reflex. He was in the SCN – special care nursery – for a total of 15 days from birth. He was unable to breast feed and as my blood pressure is still very high I wasn’t able to pump milk for him due to the medication I am on for my blood pressure. So I am completely relying on Karicare Gold Birth formula which he really likes and is gaining weight like a trooper.

He is now 3 months old and has only really noticed he has hands about 4 weeks ago. He is sort of holding up his own head, but he seems to get tired after a while and then gets cranky. He still hasn’t rolled over yet, but as he is only really 2 months corrected age I am hopefull that be the time he is 4 months he will have mastered that too. He is smiling all the time and cooing at all of his hanging toys on his playmat and mobile. I couldn’t have asked for a better baby to have. He is sleeping through most nights which is getting much better for me!!

Advice From Parents: Just don’t give up. I got very depressed until my little boy eventually came home, as the DR’s didn’t tell me that he would need to stay at the hospital. Just take each day as it comes, and don’t feel like you are a failure… in my case I had gestational diabetes & pre-eclampsia, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent the premmie birth. I had 2 options… 1) Give birth to a 35week baby or 2) Die.

The answer was an easy one, but I still felt very guilty for not being able to keep him in until that 37 week mark that the DR’s were originally aiming for.

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Premature Babies Name: Poppy
Gestation Born: 35+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 4lb 11oz
Length When Born: 46 cms
Current Age: 13 months
Current Weight Now: 8.4 kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Poppy needed to be ventilated at birth for 24 hrs, then moved onto CPAP for 24 hrs, high oxygen levels in a isolet for 5 days, nasal prong oxygen for another 3 days then breathing on her own!!! All up spent 4 days in NICU and 10 days in SCN, she came home after only being on all suck feeds for a day, so when she had been home for 3 days her feeding started to go down hill. She started vomiting large amounts and was really fussy, but never and i mean never cried for a feed, we had to always set an alarm to wake us as she would wake but not cry to be fed. At the age of 10 wks she decreased her volume by half for no reason. We struggled for another 5 weeks when finally the doctors agreed there was something wrong when she completly refused for 3 days. They put down a nasal gastric feeding tube,
5 months later and alot of tests, it showed she had a rare reflux disorder called Sandifer Syndrome. It causes her muscles to spasm everytime she refluxed. What made it so hard to tell was she nevered cried!! All up she had 13 admissions and 68 days in hosptial. Along with the feeding came weak muscle tone as she was starving herself for so long, tight muscles from the reflux, refusing to feed and immature feeding. She is nearly 13 mths old, is not on any medication, is drinking up to 180mls 4 times a day and eating 3 meals just like any other baby her age.

Advice From Parents: All i can say is you know your baby so if you notice any thing odd dont give up…… even if it takes you days, weeks or months, as someone has to listen. I was very lucky it was the head nurse of the childrens ward of our local hospital and when things seem tough and overwhelming, try to find an aveue to share your story with others that have been through the same as you, like this great website. And for me, when everyone said “gee you have been through alot” go yep i have but how bloody lucky my baby made it and is here today as sadly there are some premmies that arent that lucky.

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Premature Babies Name: Owen
Gestation Born: 35+5 weeks
Weight When Born: 2080 grams
Length When Born: n/a
Current Age: 16 months
Current Weight Now: 9 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Owen was a lot smaller than expected when born and as a result had issues with maintaining his body temperature and feeding due to lack of suck reflex. As a result he spent 16 days in the Special Care Nursery. I had a very hard time with that as the communication from the staff was not great and I felt like I was lacking information regardless of how many questions I asked. In the beginning we had numerous issues with feeding and sleeping and he had to be woken for every feed. Thankfully with the help of a private lactation consultant we managed to work that out.

Owen is now a happy, bubbly, gorgeous boy with no ongoing issues who continues to amaze us with how much he can do as he is meeting all developmental milestones for his adjusted age.

Advice From Parents: Follow your instincts. Don’t take no for an answer when you know there is something not right. Don’t be afraid to talk to others in your situation as they are the only people who truly understand.

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Premature Babies Name: Maria
Gestation Born: 35+1 Weeks
Weight When Born: 2293 grams
Length When Born: 45cms
Current Age: 11 Weeks
Current Weight Now: 3930 grams
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Maria was born just past 35 weeks and came in a big hurry. Labour was 4 and a half hours and that included being rushed by ambulance to a nearby town (50mins away). Initially Maria was placed in a humidicrib in the nursery but was back with Mum in our room within 3 hours. She looked to feed immediately and was able to suck well. We spent 6 days in hospital in total. Maria’s main issue was breast feeding and Mum’s lack of milk. Maria is growing but slowly and Mum tries to keep positive about it.

Advice From Parents: Be glad for your babies presence and don’t dwell on the fact that they should still be in your tummy. Gather as much information to help in the future as you can and ask as many questions as many times as you need to.

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If you would like to submit details about your premmie baby please fill out our submission form

Premmie Babies Name: Tamara
Gestation Born: 29+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 1635 grams
Length When Born: 30cm
Current Age: 17 months
Current Weight Now: 11kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Tamara has no ongoing health issues known at this stage
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Premmie Babies Name: Reuben
Gestation Born: 29+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 1450g
Length When Born:
Current Age: 22 months
Current Weight Now: 11.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Reuben is coming along slowly. He doesn’t have and major health issues. We are currently seeing a surgeon due to him having under developed scrotum, and he also needs to see an ENT surgeon due to having a retracted ear drum which requires his adnoids to be removed and possibly his tonsils. Our paed has also refered us to the Gait clinic for observation, as he has bowed legs. Reuben speech and motor skills are also slightly delayed, aside from all of the above he is a very happy little man.

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Premature Babies Name: Karli and Kallum
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight When Born: 1340g and 1390g
Length When Born: 37cm and 39cm
Current Age: 14months birth age, 11 months corrected
Current Weight Now: 8.5kg each
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues:
Karli has no on going problems.. she is just a little slow with her fine motor skills.
Kallum on the other hand gets everything. He had his PDA liagated at 34weeks gestation.which will leave no ongoing problems, but we could have lost him as his PDA was grossly under estimated. they estimated 2.7mm but it was actually 7.5mm. He also has asthma and now is long sighted. which we are yet to conclude. His fine motor skills are developing within the average range.

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Premature Babies Name: Josh
Gestation Born: 29+5 weeks
Weight When Born: 1290 grams
Length When Born: 42 cms
Current Age: 3 years, 3 months
Current Weight Now: 15.2 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: no ongoing issues, has seasonal asthma which doesn’t slow him down any!! no hearing or vision problems, motor skills all above average, speech and mobility also excellent for 3 years. no health issues known.

Advice From Parents: take each day one at a time, be honest about your expectations and don’t dwell on any negatives.

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Premature Babies Name: Oliver
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight When Born: 1385 grams
Length When Born: 44cm
Current Age: 11.5 months
Current Weight Now: 9.5kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Lowered immune system and poor lung function. This simply means we have to be careful for the first 3 years as a cold can lead very quickly to bronchiolitis and hospitalisation. His development and size are already within the normal range for his actual age.

Advice From Parents: Do not compare your child with others. They are unique.

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Premature Babies Name: Kale
Gestation Born: 29+3 days
Weight When Born: 1160 grams
Length When Born: 48cms
Current Age: 4 months
Current Weight Now: 3.7kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Kale is still requires oxygen as kale had and still has Chronic lung disease.

Advice From Parents: Stick in there it is the hardest time but you will eventually get there.

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Premature Babies Name: Zade and Hunter
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight When Born: 1082g and 1108g
Length When Born: n/a
Current Age: 4 years 5 months
Current Weight Now: 14kg and 13kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Both Hunter and Zade have had no health issues since leaving the hospital. They have developed at a normal rate. Even though they are small for their age, they have big personalities to make up for it They are both looking forward to going to school next year.

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Premature Babies Name: Amelia Louise
Gestation Born: 29 weeks
Weight When Born: 825 grams
Length When Born: 33cms
Current Age: 17 months
Current Weight Now: 9kg (approx)
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Amelia was very small due to IUGR- as i had sevre pre-eclampsia and I did NOT even know we were both EXTREMELY ill. Apart from having laser surgery to correct grade 3 ROP, she has no- ongoing major health issues. She remains on the smaller side of the scale in both height and weight- she is very slow to gain weight despite the fact she eats like a horse and still has 6-7 bottles/day, But overall is a happy, healthy, bubbly and extremely bright little girl.

Advice From Parents: Allow your TINY WARRIOR to amaze you!!! Talk to other Premmie parents- DO NOT keep your feeling inside- we do get it!!!! and lastly celebrate very single milestone, from the first bottle/breastfeed, first bath to graduating from the NICU to SCN and finally making it home.

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If you would like to submit details about your premature baby please fill out our submission form

Premmie Babies Name: Danielle Heather
Gestation Born: 26 +2 weeks
Weight When Born: 722 grams
Length When Born: 33cms
Current Age: 2.5years
Current Weight Now: 11.4kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Prior to birth we were told Danielle wouldn’t survive labour, once she did we were told that she had a less than 20% chance of survival all due to my membranes being ruptured (& slowly & continually leaking) from prior to the 20 week scan. Dani came home after 19 weeks and was on oxygen until she was 11.5months old. We were told that Dani has severe chronic lung disease but since coming off her oxygen she hasn’t really looked back. She still sees a number of specialists (renal, cardio, rehab clinic, lots of hearing tests & physio) and has speech therapy but these are more precautionery now and she is finally getting the all clear & ‘we no longer need to see you’ statements. She is basically a very happy healthy petite two year old.
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Premmie Babies Name:Talia Rivka
Gestation Born: 26 weeks 6 days
Weight When Born: 855g
Length When Born: 34.5cm
Current Age: 2 years 5 months
Current Weight Now: A bit under 11kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Health: Talia spent 11 weeks on CPAP and another week on oxygen before being discharged 2 days after her due date. Despite having chronic lung disease, she has been very healthy and has never needed to be readmitted to hospital.

Weight: She struggled to gain weight at first, but gradually over the past two years climbed up from below the charts to around the 25th percentile.

Development: Talia was quite delayed in all her developmental milestones (“global developmental delay”) for the first 18 months, and received physiotherapy to help her gross motor development, as well as speech pathology. However not long before she turned two a lot of things just seemed to fall into place for her, and since then she has really started to blossom. At her 2 year corrected assessment, she rated as average or above average in all areas.

Advice From Parents: This is probably one of the most difficult experiences in your life, but try to find balance – easier said than done some days – between the worries and the joys. Don’t miss out on the happiness your amazing baby can bring you right now by stressing too much about the future. Take care of yourself, enjoy every little milestone and find people who will give you the emotional support you need (including other parents of prems) to come to terms with what has happened and start the healing process.
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Premmie Babies Name: Milica
Gestation Born: 26wks + 2 weeks
Weight When Born: 575gms
Length When Born:
Current Age: 16months
Current Weight Now: 7.3kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: At this stage (fingers crossed) all is well with Milica, she is on track developmental wise (12 1/2 months) and slowly putting the weight on …

Advice From Parents: Stay positive. Milica went thru so much and she has made me an even stronger person today that I was… if she can survive the early birth and all that happened to her in 4 1/2 months in RWH then she will be able to survive ANYTHING
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Premmie Babies Name: Lylah and Charli
Gestation Born: 26+5 weeks
Weight When Born: Lylah – 940g Charli – 917g
Length When Born: Lylah – 35cm Charli – 36cm
Current Age: Just over 4 Months actual
Current Weight Now: Both girls are about 4.5kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues:
Lylah – outlook is great for her, having some ongoing tests for mild hearing loss in both ears but we are unsure at this stage if its permanant. other than that she just has reflux which is being controlled by meds. Came home at 37+1 gestation after 10 Weeks and 3 days in NICU/SCU, which im told is ver early for a baby born at 26 weeks!

Charli - her outlook is not great, she will have a very difficult early life. After having a small PDA, and a Grade II brain bleed which both resolved themselves, she developed a volvulous (twist) of the small bowel, and after 2 operations in 24 hours (at 2 months old) had most of her small bowel and a section of large bowel removed. She’s left with 30cm of small bowel, and now has “short gut syndrome” and is currently mainly fed by TPN. It will take her a long time to learn how to eat properly. But she is going well in spite of this, gaining as much weight as her sister, and is making me proud to be her mum! She also failed her hearing test (left ear only) so will be followed up. Both girls seem to have no trouble gaining weight and are currently on track developmentally for their corrected age.

Advice From Parents: Use the support of the nurses! I dont know how we would have got through so far without some of the lovely nurses we have had. And take lots of photos, it may seem like a long journey but it goes fast and they get big so quickly!
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Premmie Babies Name: Will
Gestation Born: 26 weeks and 4 days
Weight When Born: 998g
Length When Born: 35.5cm
Current Age: 6 yo
Current Weight Now: 17.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Will spent 178 days in hospital before coming home on oxygen for 5 months. He developed hydrocephalus at 5 months of age from an intraventricular hemorrhage which required the insertion of a VP shunt. He came off CPAP 2 days later and then improved dramatically.He was a very bright and aware baby but his arm and leg movements became obvious to me quite early that he had cerebral palsy. He was not diagnosed till the age of 2 and a half with CP. Still with a diagnosis of CP, it never stopped us from treating him any different. He was involved very heavily in ‘early intervention’ and still has a team of therapists he visits. His speech is perfect, he has no intellectual disability, no permanent hearing loss but requires grommets and requires the use of a walker for his mobility. He is in Prep this year, is reading, and learning at the same level of his peers.

Advice From Parents: Everyone who has had a premmie knows how tough they are, they are just born survivors, but on the other and they are still fragile. To find a balance of knowing how much to push them and shelter them is difficult. With all the developmental issues that comes with prematurity, my advice would be to get out there and be as involved as you can in ‘early intervention programs’, it makes a huge difference. Lots of appointments and alot of extra work was all worth it to see Will in school now thriving.

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Premmie Babies Name: Kirsten Shepherd
Gestation Born: 26 weeks
Weight When Born: 738 grams
Length When Born: 38 cm
Current Age: 19
Current Weight Now: Hi, my name is Kirsten Shepherd. I was premmie born. The first few years of my life were difficult. i spent the first 6 months of my life in hospital. I have had many operations and do have bad eye sight. I don’t let anything stop me doing what i believe in. I am now 19 and loving life. Last year i completed my HSC, and am now studying a Bachelor of Nursing. Maybe one day help the babies in the same situation as me and many others of us.
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues:
Advice From Parents:

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Premmie Babies Name: Erin
Gestation Born: 26weeks
Weight When Born: 597g
Length When Born: 31cm
Current Age: 3 years 11 months
Current Weight Now: 12.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: We have been incredibly lucky. Erin went through so much in hospital. She had PDA surgery when she was 3 weeks old, ROP laser eye surgery and so many blood transfusions I lost count in the end, she was ventilated for 5 1/2 weeks also. Now though she is very skinny and a little delayed in gross motor skills but that seems ot be about it. Even with chronic lung disease you wouldnt know she had it she has lots of colds in the last 2 years and been fine through all of them.She sees a physio and still gets assessed for her development but thats about it. I am so proud of her.

Advice From Parents: Try to take care of yourself. Try not to beat yourself up over this it wasnt your fault and there is no one to blame.

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Premmie Babies Name: Patrick and Phillip
Gestation Born: 26 weeks
Weight When Born: 1494grams and916 grams
Length When Born: both 32cms long
Current Age: 3 years
Current Weight Now: 11.4kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: I gave birth to twins in 2006 Patrick Luca and Phillip Charles 1 minute later, unfortunately we lost our beautiful son Patrick 20 minutes after birth. Phillip spent 4 months in Liverpool Hospital NICU. Phillip has a speech delay, we still attend speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy and Phillip is coming forward a little bit each day.

Advice From Parents: Take all the support you can get!
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Premmie Babies Name: Izabella
Gestation Born: 26+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 825grams
Length When Born: 35cms
Current Age: 3 years old
Current Weight Now: 11.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: I was admitted into KEMH in Perth with ruptured membranes and delivered our baby girl via emergency csection five days after being admitted. Although she was so tiny she was our little fighter. She was able to breath on her own, thanks to her developed lungs (and the drug I was given to develope them quickly which I cant remember the name sorry). Occasionally she was given cpap and had one blood transfusion but all in all we were very lucky. The 10 weeks she spent in hospital she was well looked after by brilliant doctors and amazing nurses. She is now a happy and very loud 3 year old. She has court up to all her 3 year old friends and is well advanced in her speech. Follow up appointments once a year are to the eye doctor and her development checkup. She is also a big sister to our one year old daughter Jorja (who was born full term).

Advice From Parents: Try and stay positive we really do have wonderful doctors and nurses in our hospital system and have lots of family support around you (if possible)

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Premature Babies Name: Azaan
Gestation Born: 26+5 weeks
Weight When Born: 796 grams
Length When Born: 33cm
Current Age: 8months
Current Weight Now: 6.5 kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Azaan was born very unexpected after a massive bleed and then membranes rupturing. I was lucky enough to last 6 days in hospital before i was taken in for a emergancy c-section. I didnt get to see my baby until the next day. Azaan had all the premmie related things, PDA, 3 blood transfusions and chronic lung disease. We took our baby boy home after 89 days in Monash Medical Center, made up of 56 days in NICU and 23 in Special care.

Azaan is doing really well now, he is a bit delayed in some things, he hasnt yet rolled over but he said mum for the first time last week. He still has a small PDA but it doesnt affect him. We still see Paeds every 6 weeks and will keep doing so until he is about 13. Azaan sits on the scale about 25% for weight and 50% for HC and 10% of length…. other than that, he is perfect…

Advice From Parents: This is the hardest time of your life, once you get through this you can get through anything. Stay strong, do lots kangaroo care as much as possible as it does help you and your baby. Take lots of photos because as it may not seem like it now but the memories do fade as new beautiful memories take over. Take some time to relax and remember you didnt do anything wrong, this was not your fault.

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If you would like to submit details about your premature baby please fill out our submission form

Premmie Babies Name: Jacob James Ferguson
Gestation Born: 25+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 850 grams
Length When Born: 23.8 cm
Current Age: 10 yrs
Current Weight Now: 39kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jacob has slight cerebal palsie,is intellectually impaired,and still has chronic lungs

Advice From Parents: stay positive..except the rollar coaster ride its well and truly worth it in the end.. there is no such thing as “what if” its what you have to look forward to tomorrow that counts.
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Premmie Babies Name: Kadee and Samara
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 752g and 769g
Length When Born: 23cm
Current Age: 23 months
Current Weight Now: 10kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Kadee - Had laser surgery Stage 3 ROP with Plus Disease both eyes (ongoing issues???), has Chronic Lung Disease (requires O2 with illness only), also suffered a Staph infection at 5 weeks old (caused subglottic stenosis and osteomyolitis – now has tracheostomy and will require regular surgery to lengthen her right radius). Has grommets in both ears due to consistently failing pressure test in hearing exams. Delayed language development.

Samara – Delayed language development, no ongoing medical issues.

Advice From Parents: Talk to those parents around you in NICU/SCN, either on the ward or in the expressing room. There are many others there that are experiencing the same things and suffering the same anxieties. Whilst the nurses are good at counseling, many have not travelled the prem road so cannot offer you the exact level of support and interest in your baby that other parents can. Try not to lose contact with your new found support group either as the prem journey doesn’t finish as soon as you leave the hospital.
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Premmie Babies Name: Ava
Gestation Born: 25+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 535grams
Length When Born: 31cm
Current Age: 41 months
Current Weight Now: 11.3kg’s
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Some bowel issues (constipation), weight gain is slow, chronic lung, mild sensory issues, poor head growth. Although ava has these issues she is developmentally ahead and requires no intervention. Still unsure as to the head growth outlook

Advice From Parents: I would advice parents to take the time for each other and their other children if they have some. Family is so very important and having some ‘space’ to be normal is vital.
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Premmie Babies Name: Isabelle
Gestation Born: 25+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 634grams
Length When Born: 27.5cm
Current Age: 30months
Current Weight Now: 11.7kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Isabelle is a happy and healthy little girl(well we think so). She has chronic lung disease and sometimes requires oxygen when sick, and had a 1.5cm hole in her heart which self corrected. Isabelle also has some developmental delays but nothing to serious, and a few problems with her bowles due to her having had NEC.

Advice From Parents: I would have to say “Take each day as it comes”.Never give up hope, while Isabelle was in NICU everyday I would tell myself “Where there is life, there is always hope”.
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Premmie Babies Name: Maxx
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 835g
Length When Born: 31cm
Current Age: 13 months
Current Weight Now: 9.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Maxx has chronic lung desease and aftering being told he would be on oxygen until he was 2 yrs old he came of it at 9 months. He is a bright, happy little boy with no other issues.

Advice From Parents: Take everyday as it comes as it can change so quickly. Lean on other premmie parents for support as they are the ones that know what you are going through. And NEVER give up hope, they maybe small but they can surprise you in an instant!

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Premmie Babies Name: Lennon James
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 585g
Length When Born: 30cm
Current Age: 25 months actual
Current Weight Now: 9.6 kilos
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: chronic lungs but only needs oxygen when very sick, poor weight gain and severe sensory feeding issues/oral aversion. developmentally he is behing but nothing too serious, started to walk just before his 2nd birthday. Confident, happy, funny strong-willed determined little boy that loves music, noise, singing and dancing and acting!! also has a small head – looking into this currently. all other premmie issues overcome – PDA, jaundice, hearing loss, ROP, infections, hernias, food intolerance and severe reflux.

Advice From Parents: keep intouch with your premmies mums and dads – ours have all grown up together and 2 years later we still have our support/playgroup going. get informed and go with your instinct when you know they are getting sick etc. treat them as the precious ones that they are!

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Premmie Babies Name: Aaron and Zachary
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 658g and 1085g
Length When Born: 32.5cm and 36.5cm
Current Age: 7 years old
Current Weight Now: 18kg and 19 kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues:
Aaron had a hernia opp before he was first discharged from hospital. At the age of about 1 he had grommerts inserted in his ear drums because of a small drainage canal. other than that he had a slight developmental delay.He is pretty much a normal child now.

Zac had both hernia opp in his first year. He is a normal child now.

Advice From Parents: I found alot of comfort in being able to talk to other parents.I lived a 40min drive from the hospital where they were born and was unable to see them every day, because of another baby at home.I called every day at all hours and the nurses kept me informed on how they were doing.

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Premature Babies Name: Lennon James
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 585 grams
Length When Born: 30cms
Current Age: 25 months actual
Current Weight Now: 9.6 kilos
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Chronic lungs but only needs oxygen when very sick, poor weight gain and severe sensory feeding issues/oral aversion. developmentally he is behing but nothing too serious, started to walk just before his 2nd birthday. Confident, happy, funny strong-willed determined little boy that loves music, noise, singing and dancing and acting!! also has a small head – looking into this currently. all other premmie issues overcome – PDA, jaundice, hearing loss, ROP, infections, hernias, food intolerance and severe reflux.

Advice From Parents: Keep intouch with your premmies mums and dads – ours have all grown up together and 2 years later we still have our support/playgroup going. get informed and go with your instinct when you know they are getting sick etc. treat them as the precious ones that they are!

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Premature Babies Name: Kate
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 820 grams
Length When Born: 33 cm
Current Age: 2 years
Current Weight Now: 11.5 kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Kate had TPN leakage into her abdominal area surrounding her kidney while in the NICU. This caused damage to kidney and scar tissue. We have to monitor her blood pressure and get yearly abdominal ultrasounds to monitor growth. After 6 surgeries to date Kate is otherwise in great health. Kate is not walking independantly yet but oh so close.

Advice From Parents: I live in Victoria and had Kate in the Canberra Hospital, and I had no family or support. I made a decision early to put my trust in the medical / nursing staff. I still asked questions and I made sure that I always understood exactly what was happening and why at all times. To this day I have not regretted that decision.

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Premature Babies Name: Xi Mary Nicole
Gestation Born: 25+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 720 grams
Length When Born: 31 cms
Current Age: 28 months
Current Weight Now: 12.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: We still have problems with her chronic lung disease after being home on oxygen for so long, and a cold can put us back into PMH for a few days on oxygen whilst she recovers. She’s average for her corrected age in everything from speech, size, language, social and behavioural skills. We still have issues with her excema every now and then, and will be needing glasses as she gets older. I just consider us lucky after the 17 weeks we spent in NICU waiting for her to come home, not knowing what the future was going to hold, just knowing that atleast I had her with me was enough.

Advice From Parents: Hold in there. It seems tough and stressfull when your sitting next to there cot day in and out, waiting for them to be allowed home. Cherish those cuddles and smiles, and be thankful that we live in a medical age when our little premmies can make it through.

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Premature Babies Name: Jacob Kenneth
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 720 grams
Length When Born: approx 25cm
Current Age: Just turned 1!
Current Weight Now: 8kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jacob spent 15 weeks in hospital (after a very complicated pregnancy in which we lost his twin). When he was born, I could fit my wedding ring over his leg. His ID bands had to be strapped to him as they were too large, and his nappy was the size of a credit card! He began on the high frequency oscillating ventilator with nitric oxide and surfactant treatment, high doses of caffeine, morphine, TPN, IV lines all over his body and many other aids… It took weeks before I could hold him. Jacob has since overcome his PDA, ROP, NEC symptoms (every time he was primed with breastmilk), factor IX deficiency, bradycardia, constant sats/desats, apnoea and cynosis episodes, and besides the scars on his body he does not look preemie! Jacob was also diagnosed with a condition called Septo-Optic Dysplsia for which we were seeing an endocrinologist, neurologist and opthalmologist. We still have physiotherapy sessions and preemie reviews, but otherwise life is getting very normal. Our little man suffered many specialist tests through his NICU stay and beyond. He was re-intubated with several episodes of sepsis, had pulmonary hypertension and haemorrhage, a brain haemorrhage, 9 blood transfusions, and had many setbacks as often happens in NICU. But he is doing wonderfully well now! And he is so precious… an absolute gift from God and a beautiful playmate for his big sister (11 months older). He still has chronic lung disease, and we have had many trips back to hospital, yet we are blessed to have him.

Advice From Parents: The best piece of advice I heard from a NICU nurse was not the typical “it’s a rollercoaster ride” and “two step forwards, one step back” etc. Her advice was that “in NICU, we do not take things day by day. We take them instead hour by hour”. There is really no better way to say this, each and every hour could range from wonderful news to dismal news. It could range from heartbreak to joy. The NICU is a very scary place to find your baby. The time there is full of constant exhaustion, fear, stress, good news and bad news, milestones achieved and the extreme changes in health. It is so important to start doing your baby/ies cares as soon as possible. This really helps you to bond with your baby, and to be confident that you can look after them on discharge. I also believe that God has brought us through this difficult time. The Lord has certainly blessed me with the strength, the patience and resolve to be a NICU mum. With Him, this was incredibly difficult. Without Him, I doubt I would have been able to get through it.

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Premature Babies Name: Cael & Beau
Gestation Born: 25 weeks
Weight When Born: 840g & 968g
Length When Born: 25cm & 28cm
Current Age: 3 years
Current Weight Now: 13.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Cael has chronic lungs still requires O2 whilst asleep, severe ROP and disease in left eye wears glasses and will have ongoing issues, had hernia very early and was not able to be corrected until strong enough therefore caused damage to one testicle which had to ultimately be removed, small VSD which remains untreated as very minor but otherwise a very happy, energetic and stong willed little boy…
Beau was not so fortunate and lost his battle with a staph infection after surviving treatment for 40 days….

Advice From Parents: TALK….. I know you don’t feel like it and you find all the advise overwhelming but take in as much as you can, take a note book into the nursery every day and write down everything you hear and ask for explanation later so you don’t have to try and remember everything. TAKE PHOTOS as many as you can possibly get and if possible take VIDEO trust me it will be the hardest thing you will ever have to watch in later years but will also be priceless for your baby/ies when they are older. When you finally get your baby/ies home work with them as much as you can with the issues they have been identified with it will only do them good for the long term, you never know how they will turn out so just keep going… take some YOU time out as much as you can also and ACCEPT HELP…..

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If you would like to submit details about your premmie baby please fill out our submission form

Premmie Babies Name: Casey Lee Hoffman
Gestation Born: 23+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 720 grams
Length When Born: 30cms
Current Age: 11yrs
Current Weight Now: 25kilo’s
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Casey was born with chronic lung disease and needed Laser surgery 3 times on both her eyes. Casey still suffers from asthma now but seems to be growing out if it now. Casey still see’s her eye specialist once every year. Her last appointment showed great results with them taking pictures and wanting to publish them of her eyes and what a success her surgery was.. Casey did have many problems in the first 12months of her life but has come a very long way.

Advice From Parents: You never know what’s around the next corner so take each day as it comes.

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Premmie Babies Name: Jaiden
Gestation Born: 23+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 1lb 1oz
Length When Born: 25cm
Current Age: 2 years 2 months
Current Weight Now: 22lb 5oz
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jaiden had severe liver disease and had bits taken out over numerous operations whilst he was in hospital. Each time it failed and he ended up having a transplant. A small piece of his dads which has so far been successful. Although it’s not a premature thing. Luckily Jaiden has been very healthy. The only issue we have now is fine motor and language delay. Although he is improving. We will find out at his 2 year corrected check end of October whether he will have learning difficulties or not

Advice From Parents: Take each day as it comes. Don’t be upset if your baby takes a step or two backwards. One day they will take three or four forwards. And try and focus on all the positives

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Premmie Babies Name: Ethan & Ava
Gestation Born: 23+3 wks & 23+4 wks (born day apart)
Weight When Born: 1lb & 1lb 2oz
Length When Born: 21cms & 23cms
Current Age: 18 months
Current Weight Now: 17lb 6oz & 18lb 7oz
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: To begin with drs weren’t going to intervene with Ethan. But we had a very compassionate neonatologist. He was given a less then 10% chance of survival and from day 1 he’s shown what a fighter he is. Ethan was in hospital for 8 months wheras Ava came home at 4 months. Ethan has asthma and his immune system is very low and catches everything going around. At the moment he is just behind target for his corrected age in most areas.

Ava’s leg was dislocated at birth as she was breech and got stuck. She was unable to move it for months and faces a few more years of physiotherapy. Although she is moving it more and more now, we are still unsure whether she will walk or even crawl

Advice From Parents: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be at the hospital all the time. You need to keep yourself healthy too. Think of today, not tomorrow.

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Premmie Babies Name: Ryko
Gestation Born: 23+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 700 grams
Length When Born: 27cm
Current Age: 23.5 months
Current Weight Now: 9 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: My son was born at 23 weeks after an exhausting pregnancy. He suffers from chronic lung disease, metabolic bone disease, heart failure ( has has his PDA ligated), has had two bilateral hernia repairs a perforated bowel which needed surgery,asthma laser eye surgery and when he came home he spent the first 7 months home on oxygen.

Advice From Parents: No matter how hard it gets somedays try not to get upset. Be strong..

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Premmie Babies Name: Levi
Gestation Born: 23+5 weeks
Weight When Born: 580 grams
Length When Born: 28cms
Current Age: 10 months
Current Weight Now: 6.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Levi is a content and happy little boy. He has Chronic Lung Disease, Hypocalcaemia (resolved), ROP (corrected with Laser) and bilateral hernia repair. He has been home on oxygen for 5 months – although only at night time now. He is generally meeting his developmental milestones, although is behind a little physically with strength ie ability to lift head for extended periods on tummy and sit unassisted. His quality of life is excellent as he enjoys all the delights that life has to offer.

Advice From Parents: My favourite quote:
“We are most alive when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”
Read something positive everyday, carry it in your heart and pass it onto your precious baby.

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Premmie Babies Name: Lydia Grace
Gestation Born: 23+2 weeks
Weight When Born: 580g (1lb 4.5oz)
Length When Born: 30.9cms
Current Age: 14.5 months
Current Weight Now: 9kgs, (19lb 9oz)
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: As stated above, my daughter was born 17 weeks too early. Within the first week of being born, she had brain bleeds. She now has possible Cerebral Palsy in her right arm/leg which was caused from extreme prematurity. But other than that, she’s perfect. She’s my miracle.

Advice From Parents: Take each day as it comes. Some days it looks like they’re flying ahead, then the day after it seems like you’re back at square one. The long journey is worth it at the end!! Hang in there.

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Premature Babies Name: Hudson
Gestation Born: 23+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 580 grams
Length When Born: 30 cm
Current Age: 4 years
Current Weight Now: 15 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Hudson suffered from NEC, ROP and CLD during his 5 1/2 months in the NICU and spent 15 more months on night-time oxygen at home. He suffers mild cerebral palsy and Global Developmental Delays but is the most inspirational, gorgeous little boy ever! He is in kindy now at an early intervention centre and he loves it!

Advice From Parents: Make friends with other parents…they’ll understand what you are going through more than anyone else, both in hospital and in the years after you leave.

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Premature Babies Name: Charlene
Gestation Born: 23+1 weeks
Weight When Born: 545grams
Length When Born: 29cm
Current Age: 8 months
Current Weight Now: 6 kilos
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Charlene spent 4 months and 12 days at WCH Adelaide. She was retrieved from Mildura Base Hospital by the Flying Doctors. She had no surgery, and she came home without oxygen. According to the Flying Doctors she is the lightest baby that they retrieved from a small hospital that survived. According to the head unit specialist of the NICU/NURSERY, Charlene is the only 23 week baby they have that have no major issues. At present she’s a very healthy bubbly baby, she’s doing all the right thing a 4 month old baby doing and according to her paediatrician she’s even a month advanced on her development. Charlene never had laser eye treatment which most babies below 24 weeks had. Looking back giving us 15 minutes to decide if we want her resuscitated always put tears in our eyes. I thank God for Charlene’s life. God moves in amazing ways!

Advice From Parents: As much as possible spend a lot of time with your prem baby. Always remember mother instinct really works, you need to speak out about what you observe on your baby to the specialist.

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Premature Babies Name: Kian
Gestation Born: 23+5 weeks gestation
Weight When Born: 695 grams
Length When Born: 30cms
Current Age: 16mths – 12 corrected
Current Weight Now: 7.2kgs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Kian has “failure to thrive” as he is so small, but is a happy little man. He has Chronic lung disease, a stigmatizsm in left eye but apart from that, we are relatively lucky he has come out a healthy boy! He was in hospital for 218 days – 7 months. And has now been home for 7 months, and our lives are forever changed thanks to his spirit!

Advice From Parents: Never turn down an oportunity to hold, touch or even change a bappy on your prem! That bonding time is essential and saying no, as you are too scared, is something that you dont want to regret,

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Premature Babies Name: Alessia and Lara
Gestation Born: Alessia 23+3weeks , Lara 25+5 weeks. Twins born 16 days apart!
Weight When Born: Alessia 600 grams and Lara 810 grams
Length When Born: Alessia 30cm and Lara 35cm
Current Age: 18 months
Current Weight Now: 10 kgs each
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Our twins have amazed us and doctors right from the start with Alessia’s water breaking and Lara not wanting to come out! She held on until doctor decided she had to be csectioned, otherwise she was going to stay! We have been extremely lucky with the girls. Alessia had a rocky but steady start as she was on the edge of viability but showed good signs right from the start. After 15 weeks in hospital , she came home on oxygen for 2 weeks only . She has had no surgery . She however has a hospital admissions for bronciulitus ans pnemonia but always recovers well. Lara was only intubated for a few days before cpap then into cot oxygen and came home same time as Alessia and no home oxygen , also no surgeries. Girls are 14months corrected and Lara has been walking for around 2 months and Alessia walks with her hand held walker. Both girls are really healthy and reaching milestaones.

Advice From Parents: Make friends with other parents and talk to each other for support. I made a few friends and still keep in contact now.

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Premature Babies Name: Joshua
Gestation Born: 23+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 680 grams
Length When Born: He wasnt measured
Current Age: 11
Current Weight Now: 29kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: He had a grade 4 haemorhage which left him with mild spastic dysplasia and he had 2 lots of laser surgery for ROP. He was also diagnosed as profoundly deaf at 34 weeks he has had bilateral cochlear implants. He is a happy healthy 11yr old he was slow meeting his milestones but has definately caught up to his peers.

Advice From Parents: never ever give up hope

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Premature Babies Name: Jaden
Gestation Born: 23+4 weeks
Weight When Born: 720 grams
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 14 months old
Current Weight Now: 8.740 kilo , 19lbs
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jaden is now 14mths he as over come so much. He had laser eye surgery, pda, nec, cld and bleeding in the brain. He is still on oxygen only because of his weight wasn’t going up but he will be off soon. He is rolling & saying small words & he is a bit delayed in development but I am positive he will get there. His bleeding hasn’t affected him and I am glad he is here. He is a happy boy!

Advice From Parents: Take one day at a time, pray, have faith & god will deliver. You would be amazed. It can be a long journey but it’s not forever.

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Premature Babies Name: Rachel
Gestation Born: 24wks + 2days
Weight When Born: 669 grams
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 22mths actual
Current Weight Now: 9.5kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Rachel’s outlook is very good. We are working with Physio to overcome some low tone and poor core strength issues. We are also working with Occupational Therapy to manage/minimalise a Sensory Perception Disorder. Rachel has been diagnosed with Chronic Lung Disease of Prematurity which makes her more susceptible to respiratory illnesses so we have to be very careful with coughs and colds for a little while yet. But since having her PDA closed surgically last month, and coming off home oxygen earlier this year, Rachel’s long term prognosis is very good. It is reasonable to expect Rachel to begin and function at school just like any other child. The only difference with Rachel (as with most prems) is that she has a strong survival instinct and loves life, which translates into a stubborn child always striving and taking pleasure in her achievements.

Advice From Parents: Look after yourself too so you have the energy to look after your baby(s). Your baby(s) is looking to you for love and strength and those are the most powerful medicines that you can give them.
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Premmie Babies Name: Jordan and Benjamin
Gestation Born: 24 weeks + 5 days
Weight When Born: 687 grams and 700 grams
Length When Born: 30.5 cm and 31 cm
Current Age: 23 months
Current Weight Now: 11. 5 kg and 10 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Jordan has a severe hearing loss and mild celebral palsy. She suffered a grade 4 ivh and was not given a good outlook. She is amazing now crawling and no eating issues. She requires physio and Occupational therapists and attends Early intervention programs for deaf children. Ben is a live wire that no longer walks he runs. He is a good teacher for his twin sister.

Advice From Parents: Get to know the other parents in the NICU . I have made very many great friends who helped me through the ups and downs that come with having premature bubs. We are still providing support to each other 2 years down the track. Keep a journal of things that happen whilst they are in hospital. Its ok to cry and let your emotions show the hospital staff are very supportive.
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Premmie Babies Name: Hannah Jane
Gestation Born: 24+5 weeks
Weight When Born: 645 grams
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 22 months (gest)
Current Weight Now: 10.5 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: CLD
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Premmie Babies Name: Caitlyn Lucy
Gestation Born: 24+6 weeks
Weight When Born: 630 grams
Length When Born: -
Current Age: 22 months (gest)
Current Weight Now: 10 kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: CLD, Eye problems
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Premmie Babies Name: Allana Rose
Gestation Born: 24 weeks
Weight When Born: 1lb 4oz
Length When Born: 26cms
Current Age: 10 years
Current Weight Now: 22 kilos
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Allana struggles with cronic lung disease. She has very bad Asthma as well. She finds it hard to put on weight and when she gets sick it falls off her easily and takes forever to put back on. They say as she gets older her illnesses will get better, so i cant wait for that and im sure she cant wait either. We spent 186 days in hospital and i owe my life to the doctors and nurses who kept her alive!!

Advice From Parents: Dont be affraid to ask for help, and parents know best when it comes to your little one getting sick. I found alot of doctors would fob me off when i noticed a change in my daughter. Prems are different when they get sick and most doctors who dont know much about prems find it hard to listen when i know there is something wrong…so listen to your instincts
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Premmie Babies Name: Thomas & Alexander
Gestation Born: 24 + 4 weeks
Weight When Born: 630grams & 546grams
Length When Born: N/A
Current Age: 2 & 1/2
Current Weight Now: 10kg & 10.3kg
Babies Outlook/Ongoing Issues: Thomas and Alexander were born early due to PPROM. Thomas was ventilated for 75 days and then on CPAP from the majority of his time in hospital. He was in hospital for 255 days. After many setbacks, being diagnosed with an ASD (hole in heart) Pulminory hypertenions, bilateral hernias & CLD he was discharged from hospital on home oxygen and NGT feeds.
Alexander spent 132 days in hospital and was only ventilated for 7 days. He was on CPAP for 9 weeks and had hernia repair surgery before discharge. He has an open PDA & CLD.

Ongoing issues we face with the boys are speech delay, fine motor skill delay, feeding issues & Thomas has global developmental delay. But they are both progressing in all areas and are very happy little boys.

Advice From Parents: Find a positive from each day no matter how small of big. This will help you get through the day. Be kind to yourself as well take time to res