Just sharing this podcast episode from the Amos Madra Show which features me talking about Twenty-four Plus Six and why I wrote the book. Have a listen to find out my thoughts on how we can work together to improve neonatal care in the UK. Head to http://www.brettbooks.co.uk to buy your copy of Twenty-four PlusContinue reading “Compassion in care makes all the difference”
Tag Archives: prematurity
Publication Day!
It’s finally here! Today, 24th October 2023, is publication day for my debut memoir Twenty-four Plus Six! It’s amazing to hold a physical copy of the book in my hand. If you haven’t had chance to order your copy yet, just pop into your local bookshop and ask them to order it for you, or purchase online fromContinue reading “Publication Day!”
A memoir in the making
“She lay utterly motionless save for the ventilator’s rhythmic, almost robotic, inflation and deflation of her lungs. I wondered if she had any awareness of my presence at all. Or indeed any awareness of anything.” Excerpt from Chapter 21 of my upcoming memoir Today, 17th November, is World Prematurity Day, which is a global movementContinue reading “A memoir in the making”
What does prematurity mean to you?
Today, 17th November, is World Prematurity Day, raising awareness of the challenges of premature birth. I wanted to explore what prematurity means to different people so I posed the question, ‘What does prematurity mean to you?’, on social media. The answers I received emphasise the impact that a premature birth can have on a family. They give us a rare and poignant window into parents’ most traumatic memories of neonatal intensive care. They provide a snapshot of daily life in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). And they highlight the love, care and dedication of parents and other family members towards their babies.
Neonatal nurses week 2021
Last week, September 13th-19th, was Neonatal Nurses Week. A few nurses stand out for me from our own NICU journey across 4 different hospitals. Firstly, Rebecca, whose emotional intelligence and insight was invaluable more than once during the first 6 weeks of our daughter’s life.
Official discharge from neonatal care
Today is a day of celebration in our household, for after 2 long years our daughter has finally been discharged from neonatal care. Born at just 24 weeks, she spent 150 days in 4 different hospitals before coming home in November 2019. She battled metabolic bone disease, chronic lung disease, sepsis and meningitis.
Fragility
There’s been so much focus on Covid-19 for so long that it’s easy to forget how a common cold can be just as tough for a preemie to deal with. What amounts to a snotty nose and a bit of a cough for most of us can be enough to land a preemie back in hospital on oxygen, antibiotics, nebulisers, steroids and worse.
The corrected age conundrum
“She was born 15 weeks early,” I venture falteringly. Look of shock and disbelief followed by questions I’d rather not answer in the middle of a busy playgroup. I make a mental note not to mention the term ‘corrected’ next time.
Creating community
When you become a mum life gets crazy even if you’ve had a straightforward pregnancy and birth and have a miracle child who sleeps, eats and poos when you ask it to.
Playing down the trauma
As a parent of a preemie or sick baby in NICU (neonatal intensive care), you get to hear of a lot of stories. Some are amazing stories about babies making miracle recoveries, nurses going above and beyond, and acts of kindness from other parents on the ward.
Life of a Preemie Mum 