9 November 2016

Jessop Wing holding event for World Prematurity Day


The Jessop Wing are holding an event to raise awareness and support parents of premature babies as part of World Prematurity day (17th November 2016, 4-6pm).

One family that will be attending are parents Emily and Jack Lowe with their twins Elizabeth and Florence who were born 12 weeks early on August 17th 2016.

The music teachers from Netheredge were told that Emily, aged 27, was in labour at just 28 weeks pregnant when she came to the Jessop Wing to be checked over after feeling unwell. The hospital gave Emily some steroids and magnesium to try and build up the tiny babies’ lungs before they were born a few days later weighing just 2lb8oz and 2lb12oz.

The babies were then cared for on the specialist Neonatal Unit for almost 10 weeks - moving from Intensive Care, to High Dependency and then finally to Special Care.

Emily said: “We've had an amazing experience on the Unit. Obviously it was a really hard time but all the staff were so very supportive – they become like our family. We couldn’t have wished for anything else.”

"The twins were placed on oxygen as their lungs were underdeveloped and time was taken to establish feeding and to ensure they were gaining weight. I was also supported to breastfeed the twins and they are now doing great."

"I would recommend other parents that are likely to deliver early to take the opportunity to visit the Unit and see how most babies progress from being very poorly to start with to eventually being ready to come home."

Elizabeth and Florence (Elsie and Flossie) are now enjoying their first week home with their mum and dad, having gone up to 5lb6oz and 5lb4oz.

In the UK, nearly eight per cent of births are premature (delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy) and one in ten babies are born early worldwide.

The event, supported by Little Miracles (Sheffield Bliss Support Group) will be held on 17th November 2016 at the Winter Gardens in the City centre.

Julie Bathie Sister on the Neonatal Unit and organiser of the event said: "This event brings together families from Sheffield and beyond that have experienced premature birth. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be guest appearances from Rachel’s Magical Entertainment and families can save memories in a fun photo booth. The event couldn’t go ahead without the support from sponsors including Baby Sensory Rotherham, Spencers Estate Agents, A Pic a Minute photobooth hire and SCA Chesterfield."

Guests are encouraged to wear something purple to acknowledge the World Prematurity Day colour theme. In support of the event, the National Grid are also lighting up buildings across the city in purple along with lights and fountains at the peace gardens.

 



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