There are 9 of us mummies who are going to cycle 23 miles from the Rosie Hospital, Cambridge to Hinchingbrooke hospital on Sunday 27th May.

Here are our stories.....

Nicola’s Story

Aron entered the world 12 weeks early after I presented at Hinchingbrooke with bleeding and slight contractions.

After several tests, which showed I was in preterm labour, I was transfered to The Roise at Addenbrookes as Hinchingbrooke cant take babies under 32 weeks. After spending 4 days trying to stop labour Aron was born weighing just over 2lb. We spent nearly 2 weeks at Addenbrookes and then we were transferred to Hinchingbrooke where we spent a further 9 weeks. We had a very up and down journey in NICU/SCBU and it was an emotional rollercoaster but with all the help and support of the amazing staff Aron was able to overcome everything. We made some lasting friendships along the way with some other Babies and Mums too, and their support and understanding helped a huge amount too.

Trisha’s story

The place everyone knows is there, but until your behind them doors with your baby you don’t actually realise what goes on let alone appreciate the hard work and dedication everyone body does....

Nevaeh was pre-diagnosed with a AVSD and high-linked chance of Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) so we knew from 24 weeks what was going to happen.....there was a plan!!

However what we didn’t plan was 12 weeks later Nevaeh being born after suspected IGUR at 36+5 weeks weighing (a reasonable) 5lb or her developing Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) 9 days after or even the 10 and half weeks that followed but then that’s when we learnt what SCBU is really about....

Every possible emotion your put through they saw, they became our second family they saw us in tears, celebrated with us through the small milestones which are taken for granted (or not known) and we became unqualified trainees knowing things that you wouldn’t normal know or even think about knowing.

There’s not enough thanks I can say or nearly enough I could do to let them know how much I’ve appreciated everything they have done because without them I wouldn’t today have the gorgeous girl that completes our family today

They may not wear capes and their jobs are not fighting crime but hero’s they are and they are mine

Elif’s Story

Our little princess was born 6 weeks earlier than expected with a very quick birth. This is when our 27 days journey started at SCBU. I think you never know how it is like to be mum of a premature baby before it happens to you. While going through very hard and stressful times, we always felt the support and care from the amazing nurses as they were always there for us and our baby along the way. Their positive attitude,dedication to their work & care to the babies was second to none. We can’t thank enough to nurses, doctors & consultants for what they did for our little princess and we are so grateful for everything. This is a way of showing our appreciation to the stuff and we would love to be able to give a little back by raising money so that their incredible work can help many other families and premature babies like ours xx

Kathleen

"Before Baby Lauren arrived as a tiny emergency, I had no idea what prematurity meant in practice - babies born hundreds of miles from home because each area has so few places for high dependency little lives. Leaving your tiny, vulnerable baby with strangers every night; struggling to find transport to be with them because you can't drive post-section, and paternity leave has run out; expressing and tube-feeding; watching and waiting; late night phonecalls; "There's nothing to worry about, but... ...your baby stopped breathing... ...might have sepsis... ...'needs a bit of extra oxygen'". It's gruelling.

Being 'repatriated' to Hinchingbrooke made things so much easier, but seemed a different world. Whilst other baby units stand out with facilities funded by research or 'training hospital status', this one feels the pressure felt by all of the NHS, standing out instead for the sheer dedication and personal commitment of the individuals involved.

Accountants and assessors can't put a value on the endless compassion and care with which they carry out the daily tasks required to keep tiny lives going; hunt for answers; break bad news and make miracles happen, but the worth of it to parents who have been put through the mill by a twist of fate, is immeasurable.

Those of us that have been there can never thank them enough, but hope to support them with this venture to help them to keep doing what they already do so well."

Amy

Strength, Courage, Bravery & Undenying love is what SCBU should stand for. Following the birth of our baby girl nearly 6weeks early she was rushed to the SCBU & instantly looked after. Her visit lasted just under 3weeks & in that time the Nurses, Consultants & Doctors didn't only care for our baby but went above & beyond with Mummy too. They were helpful & encouraging with us learning as new parents and they were kind & patient in hard times. They have a genuine care & love for the babies they look after. We referred to them as angels without wings, they deserve so much credit for all they did & continue to do. As there isn't a word in this world to describe how grateful we are, we would love to be able to give something back to them so their fantastic work & support can help many more families.

Lucy

We had a 5 week journey in SCBU Hinchingbrooke and the team were so fantastic in looking after us and our baby! The team is like one big family that they make you feel a part of! The job they do is out of this world and their professionalism is incredible, we couldn’t have asked for more for our 10 week early princess, as without them she would not be here! Please help us raise money to help them help more future premature babies and their families and provide them with even more than they already do x

Courtney

Although we knew our twins would be born a little earlier than 40 weeks, we certainly did not expect to be welcoming them into the world at 33 weeks. Although we were so lucky that they were good sizes at 4lbs and 5lbs they still needed extra help for the next 4 weeks. Through all our ups and downs the staff on SCBU and labour ward were incredible in all they done to help our babies thrive. We cannot thank Dr Dixon and the team enough for what they do and this is our way of giving a little back. Xx

Kirsty

Henry was born 10 weeks early with iugr weighing 2lb 5oz. As a family we was afraid of the unknown journey. Henry spent 11 weeks in SCBU. The care we received was exceptional from Dr Dixon, Dr Johnson to all the staff at Hinchingbrooke. We made life long friendships with other parents. I personally find the early days to hard to relive this is our way to say thank you to some incredible people who looked after Henry.

Gemma

My Henry was born 14 weeks early weighing just over 2lb

My waters unexpectadly broke so I went to hinchingbrooke hospital as that is where henry was booked in to be delivered but they are only able to take babies from 32 weeks so I was transported to Homerton university hospital as it was the closest level 3 care hospital that had a bed for me. Henry was deliverd via an emergancy c-section. We spent 6 and a half weeks there until he was stable enough to be transported closer to home. We were transported by the ANTS team to Hinchingbrooke SCBU where Henry spent a further 7 and a half weeks and on day 100 of being in hospital Henry was able to come home the day after his due date.

Mercedez

Not 1 part of me ever prepared myself to have a little premie prince.

But Brooklyn came into the world 13 weeks early weighing a tiny 2lb 7oz.

We had a 3 weeks stay in NICU/ addenbrookes. And then 7 weeks in SCBU / Hinchingbrooke.

Without these places and the wonderful people my boy wouldn't be here.

He had a terrible start to life with so many ups and downs.

We're so thankful to these angels and everything they did for us all.