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In April this year our little boy made an unexpected arrival into the world at just 31 weeks gestation and weighing only 3.8lb. While we will forever be in debt to the amazing neonatal staff for caring for him for the first 3 weeks of his life, James and I have decided we would like to do something to mark World Premature Day  (17^th November) and raise some money for the fantastic charity SOFAB, which helped to make our experience that little bit more comfortable during such a difficult time.

Supporters of Families and Babies (SOFAB) was formed in 2012 by a group of neonatal nurses who identified a need to improve the experience of parents whose babies are admitted to neonatal/special care baby units because of prematurity or sickness. The charity’s main aim is to help to provide important support that the NHS can’t and so improve the experience of the whole family, and I certainly feel this was achieved for us.

The evening Isaac was born remains such a blur. He was taken immediately away from me and by the time I was able to finally meet him, which I think was around 10 hours later, the nurses looking after him had started him a diary. This was funded by SOFAB, who had also funded the camera and printer for the ward to be able to capture his first hours. The nurses continued to update his diary with photos and comments regarding his progress and milestones throughout his stay. This diary is so precious to us and we will treasure it forever. The parent’s room, which SOFAB are also responsible for the creation of, also made our time that little bit more comfortable. The room, kitted out with a fridge, comfortable seats, magazines and biscuits, was a place to go for a cup of tea or something to eat without having to leave the ward. These little touches funded by SOFAB made so much difference.

After 22 nights of having to leave the hospital without my baby, which was by far the hardest thing of all, we were finally told we could take him home. This was the day we had been waiting for, we were so excited to have our baby all to ourselves, but at the same time it was so scary as he was still so tiny. To prepare ourselves for life at home we were asked if we wanted to spend the night in the neonatal ward flat with Isaac, where the nurses would be on hand if we needed anything. Thanks
to SOFAB, we didn’t feel like we were in hospital in the flat. SOFAB had used money it had raised to kit out 2 parent flats with double beds, TV’s, nice linen and pictures on the walls. There was even a little kitchen area supplied with tea and coffee. Spending our first night with Isaac was just the best, despite barely sleeping a wink as we couldn’t stop looking at him.

We will be doing 5K everyday throughout November in an attempt to raise more funds for SOFAB to continue making these differences for families with babies on neonatal wards across Yorkshire. We aren’t going to be over ambitious and commit to running every day, particularly as I’ve barely done any form of exercise since before I was pregnant, but we also thought it might be nice if Isaac could come with us sometimes. So we’re going to mix it up - some days we will run, others we will walk and others we might do in the gym on either the treadmill, cross-trainer
or bike, especially on the miserable rainy days, but either way, we will both do 5k every day.

Any amount you would be kind enough to sponsor us will be greatly appreciated.

Jody & James