At 29 weeks and 2 days, my water broke. I made it to the JR and after confirming they had
indeed broken, I was taken through the process of labour and NICU. There was a short
delay but later I was rushed for an emergency C-section and at 29+5 days had little Arabella-
Lily, weighing a tiny 3lb,2oz. She was rushed to NICU with her Dad whilst I was being sewn
up. When I finally got the all-clear to go and see her I was so scared. Emotionally seeing her
for the first time with wires and tubes and in the incubator was so hard. All I wanted to do
was pick up my baby girl and squeeze her so tight.
The nurses were amazing. They took us through all the correct procedures. They constantly
updated us, with good and bad news. With other children at home my partner needed to
go that night so I had my first cuddle alone with her. It was so difficult cuddling this tiny
little life that should have been inside me, warm and protected. The next morning Luke and
I headed to NICU to be greeted by a SSNAP box with everything we didn’t realise we’d need.
It was such a great help. In what felt like no time one of the SSNAP Family Care Team were
there to check on us, with a smile and a trolley full of snacks. She sat and listened to me
whilst I cried and screamed. She didn’t judge or shut me up. She was a godsend. Next thing
we knew there were gifts for me, things we needed for Arabella, and anything we could ask
for. SSNAP arranged accommodation for us at the Ronald McDonald House, supported us
with travel costs and ensured we could see our babies at home and in hospital. This even
included paying for our other daughters’ after-school club.
Luke and I were just so grateful. Arabella is now 8 months old with a happy and thriving life.
The birth is raw and so traumatic, but we have got through it with the support of the JR and
the amazing SSNAP Team. We are just so very grateful. Thank you. (Jessica and Luke,
January 2023).
