Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Our intentions are to raise money and awareness for such an important department that enables families like us to have time with premature and poorly babies. To do so, I (Pete) along with 3 of Freddie's uncles and other close family friends are cycling from the Birmingham neonatal unit to Blackpool.  Any contributions would be greatly received for all the angel babies, and now healthier babies that the amazing neonatal team have helped and supported.  Recognition for their expertise and nurturing is not rewarded enough; such amazing, passionate people... Always in our hearts and forever grateful.

This is our journey...

It has been bittersweet throughout, with many highs and lows.  We were already blessed to have our healthy 3 year old son Charlie and were elated to find out we were pregnant again in April 2014.  23rd June 2014 was the day the rollercoaster of emotions began.  Our 12 week scan showed twins; to have one baby we felt blessed but to see two we felt like it was a miracle, we were so lucky and happy, but immediately the mood in the room changed.  A 'problem' was identified in one of our babies and we were to be referred to Birmingham Women's Fetal Medicine for further scanning and analysis.

We were scanned every 2-3 weeks from there on.  We were asked to consider terminating our unhealthy twin but that was never an option regardless of the high risk to both our non-identical twin babies ... They were our babies, our world.  At 16 weeks our healthy twin was sexed as a girl however due to our other baby's condition no sexing could be done, but we knew and felt so strongly it was a boy.  As we were reminded throughout that survival was so low for our one baby we named them early... Freddie and Daisy.  We were amazed and so nervous at every scan, but at every scan our little boy continued to fight and amaze us (as well as the consultants at times).  As the scans progressed and our babies grew, Freddie's condition developed further secondary problems, but it looked more and more positive that we were going to meet our amazing boy as he continued to develop and grow.  Our due date was 5th January 2015, but our babies arrived 9 weeks early on 6th November 2014. Freddie Stephen Cutler was born at 8.53am weighing 4lbs 3ozs and Daisy Ida Cutler was born at 9.15am weighing 3lbs 9oz.  Both our babies were worked on in theatre and then taken together to neonatal but in different rooms due to the intensity of support needed. 

Freddie had been diagnosed with a Megacystis, Megauretes, Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Pulmonary Hypoplasia, and due to his severe condition was expected to take his last breaths in our arms as it would not be possible to work on him after birth. We were prepared to an extent that he would take his last moment with us, but our amazing fighter was born and there was some sign of lung development as he began to cry.

Sadly our brave, strong little boy took his last assisted breath at 14.54 6th November 2014, but the amazing work performed by the Neonatal Team had given us 6 priceless hours of our sons life.  Our eldest son got to see him open his eyes, we had snuggles and we felt his warm skin to touch, feel and kiss. During those 6 confusing, happy, amazing, distraught, overwhelming hours we bathed our son Freddie and took him to meet his little sister Daisy; who we feel he gave so much for.  

We had not prepared for Daisy to be so poorly as well, the complications of being so premature meant we spent a further 6 weeks in neonatal. Daisy grew in strength and size and we finally bought her home on 6th December 2014.

We lay our angel baby Freddie to rest 24th November 2014.  It was the most difficult thing we have ever done.  We have preserved as many memories of our son's life and with our family and friends he will always live, grow and survive.  

Thanks to the Neonatal Team of Birmingham Women's Hospital we would have never had those moments and memories of our beautiful, perfect son Freddie Stephen Cutler.

Sleep tight in the stars son... We love you so much!