"Incredible support for us and our premature baby"

On our 24 week scan we received the devastating news that the blood flow to our unborn baby was deteriorating and we may lose her. We had our care transferred to the fetal medicine department at NNUH and were scanned at the earliest opportunity.

With the expert knowledge and support from the consultants and staff we were scanned at regular weekly intervals, things were not as acute as we first thought. We were diagnosed with placental insufficiency and explained our baby would have to be delivered early, just how early was anyone's guess but the consultants were confident we would get to 30 weeks. Our baby was very small but better off in the womb at this point.

Later on, and now on daily scans we were made aware of a clinical trial called Stridor, this drug trial was to gather data on a drug which could dilate blood vessels and improve flow to the baby. To our delight the drug improved the blood flow and we managed to keep our baby safely in the womb up to the 32 weeks.

At that point the consultants all agreed it was time for our little girl to enter the world. So up to this point we had amazing care and support from the fetal medicine department and the NNUH research team. Now we handed over to the surgeons and Neonatal intensive care ward.

Our little baby Matilda Rose was born weighing 900 grams and the NICU team have done an incredible job with helping Matilda and supporting us parents. We are thrilled to say that Matilda has now been transferred to JPUH and is doing well with a lot less care requirements. This whole situation was a crisis point for my little family, the staff across all departments have been so supportive, warm and professional at all times to help us however they can. Some of the staff have clearly gone above and beyond their own professional requirements to help us in this situation.

A troublesome time eased by the positive connections we have made along the way.