November is World Prematurity Month. To honour and support the moms of preemies, we are sharing stories of moms who’ve been there and who can offer support from the other side of a long road. This is Bibi’s story.
Tell us about the day your baby was born.
I’m a mom of twin preemie girls. They were born at 34 weeks via c-sec as they had TTTS. Twin A weighed 1.73kg (spent 2 weeks in NICU) and Twin B weighed 1.09kg (spent 1 month in NICU). They were born on the morning of 17 November 2015 (World Preemie Day, unbeknownst to me back then). As soon as they came out they were rushed to the NICU, I just got a quick glance of two tiny babies and they were gone in a flash. I only got to see them the following morning as I had to recover from the Caesar Operation. It was the hardest month of our lives, going up and down to the hospital daily (45min drive), not being able to hold them and feeling so helpless.. We were also called in for ophthalmology tests, and they were prodded and poked for everything. A lot of difficulties arose during their stay and were prone to picking up infections and jaundice, but tests came back clear, thankfully. Then they called one day to say Twin A is discharged from hospital and to come collect her. What a bittersweet moment for us, leaving our other little one at the hospital while her sister came home with us. 3 weeks after her, they discharged Twin B. It was all new and overwhelming taking care of not one, but two tiny babies, we already had an almost 2 year old son then. But perseverance kept us going and igniting hope in us. Unfortunately I could not breastfeed them, as they were taking bottle and fed from the tubes already in NICU but now 4 years later, albeit still tiny they are normal and healthy and such joys. They are also identical.
Can you describe some of the emotions you experienced during the early days and weeks with your baby?
Emotional, crying easily seeing them so helpless and not being able to hold them.
Do you have any words of encouragement for a mom who is currently waiting for her baby to come home?
It is hard, very hard BUT so worth it when they get to come home. All the sacrifice you have to make will all be rewarded. Just hang in there, get all the help and support that’s needed but never give up, your little one needs you. Don’t be shy to ask and take help, you too need to rest and take care of your well-being.