Saturday 17th November is World Prematurity Day.

This annual event was created in 2008 and is celebrate each year to raise awareness of preterm birth and the concerns if preterm babies and their families worldwide.

Our son Oakley was born 10 weeks premature. Due to a very traumatic and difficult pregnancy I had to have an emergency C-section at 30 weeks and 4 days. As a result of his very early delivery he didn’t have matured organs and has spent the first 3 weeks of his life in an incubator covered in tubes and wires. He has endured numerous tests, scans and monitoring around the clock. He has overcome infections and health scares. He is now thriving and doesn’t stop amazing us. My boy is strong and he is a fighter but if it wasn’t for the incredible Neonatal unit at MKUH we would be lost. We are so lucky to have a unit like this available to us. The consultants and nurses work long hours and provide outstanding care to the tiniest of patients and offer support to thier parents and families.

When your child is in the Neonatal unit it is a rollercoaster to say the least. Sleepless nights and high emotions take over. You need a strong support system. The Neonatal team understands the struggles that come with a premature baby. They explain, suport and encourage. We could not have got this far without them.

I want to raise as much as possible to help other families that have, are or may go through everything we are. All funds raised will help provide things from premature clothing to support in MKNNU. No donation is too small and every single penny will make a difference to families worldwide.

We all know how much care a new born baby needs, imagine how much extra care a premature baby weighing less than 2lbs needs.....