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Sometimes the pregnancy journey does not always go as planned. There are many potential complications with childbirth, one of them being an extreme case of premature birth. 

Nicola reached 27 weeks when her waters broke, we rushed to The Royal Berkshire Hospital where she was examined and told that the baby would be here within the hour. Before we knew it there were nine doctors in the room preparing injections and monitoring devices, suddenly I was left in the examination room alone; Nicola was rushed to theatre for an emergency C-Section and due the seriousness of the situation I was not allowed to be there.  

The delivery took longer than expected and Hudson was born at only 2lb 2oz. I had a chance to see him briefly, cocooned in an incubator as he was wheeled passed me by 4 doctors. The expressions on their faces is one I will never forget. Nicola was in the recovery room and didn't get to see Hudson for 9 hours.

Hudson spent 10 weeks on the Buscot Neonatal Unit at The Royal Berkshire Hospital and unfortunately during that time he had to be sent to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford twice due to major complications. In the coming weeks in hospital we encountered a lot of ups and downs due to problems associated with extremely premature babies:

1. Suspected Sepsis/an abscess on the liver
2. Suspected case of NEC (Necrotizing Enterocolitis)
   
3. Chronic Long Disease (lungs damaged due to being under developed)
4. PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus)
5. During birth a small bleed on the brain occurred 
6. Five Blood transfusions 

When Hudson finally came home, he was discharged on oxygen which he continued to require for six weeks. Having oxygen tanks around the house and getting out and about proved challenging but we quickly adapted.

The staff at The Royal Berkshire Hospital & John Radcliffe Neonatal Ward persevered to save Hudson's life and many others. We have met over 80 staff members from the minute we walked into the maternity ward, his 10 week stay in hospital and his paediatric follow-up appointments which monitor his development.

21 months on and we are extremely lucky to have a healthy and happy little boy who is meeting his milestones and thriving at nursery. No longer are we stopped in the street by people commenting on how small he is, as people are now surprised to hear that he had been born prematurely. 

This Reading Half Marathon will help to raise money for much needed life saving equipment that is saving premature babies' lives everyday.

Thanks for supporting a great cause!