Journal of Neonatal Nursing (2012) 18, 83

www.elsevier.com/jneo

PARENTS’ REFLECTIONS

Sarah Connelly e Mum to Nadia and Rosa

Kellie Stewart*

Bliss, 9 Holyrood Street, London SE1 2EL, United Kingdom

Available online 10 April 2012

Sarah has had two babies born preterm. Thefirst, Nadia was born 8 June 2008 weighing just740 g. Nadia was born in Holland and within thefirst three weeks was transferred to a differenthospital in the country in order to undergo a lifechanging heart operation. Once back in the UKNadia was admitted to St. Marys Hospital after shedeveloped stridor and was sent to theatre to havea bronchoscopy. Nadia came back from theatrewith a tracheostomy and then contracted RSV.

The next couple of years consisted of learning tocope with tracheostomy, battling with authoritiesfor support at home and countless trips to A&E withinfections as they weren’t allowed oxygen at home.

In August 2009 Nadia suffered complications andended up spending the next six weeks in and out ofhospital with aspiration pneumonia, amongst otherthings. She underwent reconstructive surgery toher larynx and vocal cords and the trachy wassuccessfully removed. Sarah ‘Finally I feel like therollercoaster is coming to an end and I can breathe

* Tel.: þ44 (0) 20 7378 5741.E-mail address: kellies@bliss.org.uk.

1355-1841/$ - see front matterdoi:10.1016/j.jnn.2012.03.005

again and enjoy my little girl! She is an absolutemiracle and I feel honoured to have been on thisjourney.’

Sarah’s second child Rosa was born on 30October 2009 at 33 weeks weighing 1900 g andafter three weeks was able to leave hospital Rosais now doing well, despite her diagnosis of lowmuscle tone and hyper mobility.

Sarah ‘Three years is a long time and has beenfilled with many emotions; shock, fear, hope,despair anger and happiness. My husband has beenthrough the same emotional rollercoaster.

‘I have learnt so many things about the NHS,both good and bad and being able to experiencethe system in a different country has enabled meto realise just how well Neonatal care can becarried out, with the right attitude and resources.’

Sarah added that using the Bliss message boardsand leaflets were of great help and knowing othersare going through similar circumstances werea comfort.

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com