Leo's Story Born at 28 weeks Weighing 2lb 11.5oz
I was taken back to the delivery ward. After 10 minutes the midwife examined me, I remember her saying that baby's head was there and immediately got the rest of the team in, before I knew it I was being told to push, and within 10 minutes he was out! As I looked down, he was quickly taken over to the warmer so they could work on him. All I remember is him looking grey. Baby was in the room for half an hour before they moved him up to the neonatal unit. The whole time, surrounded by medical staff, I had no idea what was going on. Eventually he was loaded into an incubator and I got a quick glimpse as they left the room. A few minutes later Donovan arrived looking stunned! After what seemed like forever, and a LOT of pestering we were allowed up to see him. Leo weighed 2lb 11.5oz. It was all very overwhelming! I remember his skin looking like jelly, all red and you could clearly see his veins, ribs, etc. His ears were all floppy and folded over and his nails were barely there. The next few days are a bit of a blur. Leo did really well and got out of intensive care on day 4, the day after I had my first cuddle!! But Leo had a funny turn on day 5 and I had to have tests for a suspected blood clot! It was on this day that I opened Leo's drawer as usual and found a pack inside containing a teddy, teeny nappies and other goodies. The nurse told me this was from ADAPT. When I went back to the ward, I spread it all out on my bed and sat looking through it all. There was a small comforter to wear in my top before giving it to Leo so that he could smell my scent. It was an emotional day already but by this point it was happy tears as this was the first time I'd really felt I could connect with my baby! On day 9, feeds were stopped as Leo had become unwell. A few days later, I was told that Leo would need surgery to repair a hernia that the Dr had found. All I heard was the word "surgery" and went into panic mode, thankfully Lesley (ADAPTs family support co-ordinator) came in soon after and we had a good chat about it, I felt so much better and was able to get it into perspective.
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