‘I was not ready to say goodbye
Image source, Emma Baugh/BBC
Image caption, Wren celebrated her first birthday on 6 April 2024
By Emma Baugh & Harriet Heywood
BBC East, Peterborough
A baby who was born four months premature, weighing just 14oz (410g), has celebrated her first birthday.
Wren was the smallest baby her neonatal intensive care unit had ever seen and her chances of survival were low.
Mum Naomi Southern-Augustine, from Peterborough, gave birth at Luton and Dunstable Hospital when she was 22 weeks pregnant.
The family said they now wanted to give back to the unit that saved Wren’s life.
Image source, Handout
Image caption, If Wren been born at full term, her birthday would not have been until August
Ms Southern-Augustine phoned the hospital 22 weeks into her pregnancy after having more mucus than usual.
She feared going to hospital would be “a waste of NHS time” but did not leave for another eight weeks.
“I didn’t know you could go into labour that early. We didn’t know what to expect, we were shocked,” she said.
“It was a difficult time – there wasn’t much hope and we were told to prepare ourselves as she was unlikely to survive but she did.”
Wren weighed 14oz (410g) and spent 131 days in the neonatal units of Luton and Dunstable Hospital and Peterborough City Hospital.
She “sailed” through her first two weeks but then deteriorated and conversations about withdrawing treatment began.
Image source, Handout
Image caption, Rob, Naomi and Wren spent eight weeks at Luton and Dunstable Hospital before moving to the neonatal unit in Peterborough
When she was 17 weeks old, the family faced saying a heart-breaking final goodbye because Wren “was just too little” despite everything that had been done.
“That was a whole week of hell. The worst experience of our life,” said Ms Southern-Augustine.
“That was also the first day we got to hold her… I thought if she is going to die, for half her life I haven’t touched her.
“I will never be ready to say goodbye. I could feel the time getting closer… then she started making good noises on the machines and having cuddles with her dad.”
Wren’s dad, Rob McDonagh, said she was the size of his hand when she was born.
He said: “Looking at her now compared to photos, it is like a different baby. She has come through a lot and been a fighter since day one.”
Image source, Emma Baugh/BBC
Image caption, For Wren’s first birthday, her family asked for donations to be made to the unit that saved her
Ms Southern-Augustine is now writing a book to help others, adding that their experience was “isolating so we wanted to share out story to give hope”.
“By all accounts she [Wren] shouldn’t have survived, but she did,” she said.
“She exceeded all expectation. She is the happiest smiley baby. We are so lucky, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Image source, Emma Baugh/BBC
Image caption, Dr Jennifer Birch, clinical director for neonatal services for Bedfordshire hospitals, said she was happy to see Wren again
For Wren’s first birthday, the family visited the unit to thank those who saved her life.
Consultant Dr Jennifer Birch said: “It’s wonderful and lovely when we say ‘our baby’s grown up and doing well’. It really makes all the care we provide feel worthwhile and it is really rewarding to see her [Wren] so well and alert.”
While at the unit, the couple spoke with Briony Clewis, from Dunstable, who gave birth to her daughter 16 weeks early.
She said that having them talk about their experiences had helped her.
“It was one of the most traumatising things I have ever been through,” said Ms Clewis. “I don’t remember anything from my birth, I have blocked it out.
“It is difficult – the journey has had ups and downs but having them tell me their experiences is reassuring and helps me understand.”
Image source, Emma Baugh/BBC
Image caption, Briony Clewis gave birth to baby Evie-Mhairi when she was 24 weeks and four days pregnant
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