Vinnie's First Christmas
When Lisa’s waters broke at just 27 weeks gestation, she worried about what that may mean for her third baby, Vinnie. Three weeks later, little Vinnie was born via emergency c-section on November 10th.
After being cared for and supported by the wonderful neonatal team for 5 weeks, Vinnie graduated from the unit on December 18th, and will spend his first Christmas at home with his mum, dad, and big brother and sister. Hear from Vinnie’s Mum, Lisa, about their hospital journey:
Vinnie’s Hospital Journey
“He was an absolute superstar since the second he was born, only needing a little help with oxygen. In fact, I even managed a cuddle and a kiss when he was first born before he was moved to NICU.
Vinnie had a lot of ups and downs in there but truly showed real resilience and warrior spirit. He was only in there for six days then moved through to SCU - I couldn’t believe it! He really is our little warrior.
Vinnie has been on a feeding tube most of his journey, but over the last few weeks he has been going back and forth on responsive feeding, which is amazing given that he is still so small and only now 37 weeks gestation.”
How Crosshouse Children’s Fund Has Helped
During the family’s time in Crosshouse, they spent time in the AMU garden, enhanced and funded by Crosshouse Children’s Fund. This helped Lisa and her partner when they needed time to simply catch their breath and take some time away from the ward on the harder days.
Vinnie and his parents also celebrated World Prematurity Day in the Special Care Baby Unit on November 17th. Lisa adds:
“It was a lovely wee day, we got very tasty cakes, and Vinnie got such a lovely gift which we were truly grateful for. The book “guess how much I love you” was really fitting."
“More recently, Vinnie got a lovely visit from Santa! Again, Vinnie received a lovely gift. This was such a special moment, his first time meeting Santa and that was thanks to the children’s charity.
Crosshouse Children’s Fund helps when you are a parent in the neonatal unit it creates special moments for families to treasure forever.”
Christmas at Crosshouse
“Vinnie has a big sister and brother at home who are so excited to have him home for Christmas, as is all his family.
“The staff in Crosshouse hospital have been nothing but outstanding. From the maternity assessment unit to the maternity inpatient ward upstairs, labour ward and now the neonatal unit. I honestly can’t put into words how much I appreciate every single person who has helped myself, my family and more importantly wee Vinnie.
“The neonatal unit had become our home, after spending every single day there. All the staff have been amazing and are real life heroes. They have made us feel like part of a big family, they have listened to my moans, worries, and given me a shoulder to cry on when I needed it most.
“My partner and I will never be able to thank them enough for the care, love and support they have shown not only to Vinnie but all our family. We will be forever grateful to every single member of staff for the rest of our lives.
“Vinnie has become quite the boy in the unit, and all his aunties absolutely adore him. Now that we’re home, I know he will miss them all - as will I.”