JUST hours after a routine check-up revealed Danielle Adams had severe pre-eclampsia and her baby had intrauterine growth restriction, little Emma was delivered at 29 weeks.
“I went for a routine midwife appointment at 3pm and Emma was delivered at 5.40pm,” Danielle, of Alkimos, said.
“It was such a rollercoaster because you’re thinking that you’re going for a routine appointment and you’ve got this nice healthy baby and everything’s great, and then two-and-a-half hours later she’s here.
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READ NOW“They were going to transfer us to King Edward but they didn’t think that she would make it if we waited that long, so she was delivered at Joondalup and then she was transferred there. She spent nine weeks there but I had to remain in Joondalup; I finally got to see her two days after she was born.”
She said walking into the neonatal intensive care unit and seeing all of the “tiny babies” was daunting but “so good” to finally be with her daughter.
“She was only 800 grams, so 1lb 12oz; about a bag of sugar,” she said.
“We were quite fortunate that Emma was alright, she came off the ventilator after only three days and we went on a CPAP machine, which is a big breathing apparatus.
“I got to hold her on the Saturday and my husband held her on the Sunday. She was born on the Tuesday.”
They were able to take Emma, who is now 14-months-old, home on March 9 last year, when she was the equivalent of just over 37 weeks gestation.
“It was so good to get her home but then you’re just worried because you’ve not got the hospital there to tell you everything’s alright,” she said.
“She had a seizure the day after she was born, which caused some brain damage.
“In October, she was diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy but other than that, she’s good.
“She is tiny still, like a little doll.”
L’il Aussie Prems Foundation is hosting Wear Green for Premmies Day on April 15 to raise awareness of the trials and hardships of premature birth.
The event also raises funds for equipment to nurseries each year, including King Edward.
Participants are invited to join the charity’s Facebook page, and encourage family, friends and work colleagues to wear green, purchase a wristband and fundraise online.
For more, visit www.lilaussieprems.com.au or the Wear Green for Premmies Day Facebook page.