All the volunteers on our Committee have had personal experiences with one or more babies admitted to a Special Care Nursery at birth.  Some babies were born at Mercy Hospital for Women, others were born elsewhere and transferred to the Mercy's Special Care Nursery or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after their birth and others spent their entire time at totally different hospitals.

Each of our babies has their own special reason for beginning life in such unique circumstances.   Most of them are now growing, developing and putting their experiences behind them (we wish we could say the same for us, their mothers and families!).   Some are left with permanent reminders of their traumatic and 'way too early' start to life and still others will never grow up.   They are our butterflies, the ones who never left the nursery to come home and who will remain babies forever in our hearts.

Sarah’s Story

Sarah’s  twins were born via an emergency caesarean following the premature rupture of the membranes and a prolapsed cord.  Sarah expressed long-term to ensure that both twins gained the benefit of breastmilk, despite one of the twins experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding.

Twin 1
Required ventilation, CPAP, home on O ₂
Jaundice, Anaemia
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (Chronic Lung Disease) requiring Corticosteroids
Feeding issues
Sensorimotor Integration Delay
School readiness issues
Behavioural issues - displays mild ADHD, mild PDD-NOS, anxiety traits

Twin 2
Required ventilation, CPAP, O ₂
Jaundice, Anaemia
Apnoea of prematurity & Bradycardia
Inguinal Hernia

Read on...

Special care for families with special babies.