Our darling Diana arrived at 32 weeks and 1 day of gestation. I experienced PPROM (preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes). The way the nurses and midwives explained it to us, my gestational sack had weak spots within the membrane that tore whilst Diana was moving around. I woke leaking amniotic fluid at 3:30am on the day Diana was born, I never experiencing the ‘gush’ of my waters breaking. It took some convincing that I was actually in labour, I still had 8 weeks left of pregnancy. As a precaution Dale called our local midwives. They told us to head to Warrnambool hospital immediately. I was assessed there and was administered some medication that stopped my contractions and a steroid injection to strengthen Diana’s lungs before being transferred to Barwon Health Geelong. There, that night, I gave birth to our daughter. 

After Diana was born, I was allowed a very brief skin-to-skin contact, before she was taken to the Special Care Nursery. I remained in the labour room to recover. Diana was born at 2274g (4lb 8oz), we were told it was really good size for her gestation.

We felt really supported at Barwon Health hospital and that Diana was under amazing care, though the distance from home, being 120km away, and the circumstance made it difficult. Especially with Christmas around the corner. We had a Nurse organise us with a social worker who was able to give us 6 nights accommodation in an inn nearby. 

On day 2 of life, Diana ended up needing to get transferred to the Melbourne RCH (Royal Children’s Hospital). When we got the news that we were ‘Heading down the road’ by Diana’s Paediatrician, Dale was back in our home town trying to organise things for our undetermined absence. We were told to expect to be in Geelong for a maximum of 8 weeks, or until her due date. I was allowed travel with her myself, while Dale drove the extra 75km by himself in the middle of the night.

Diana ended up staying at the RCH for two nights while getting tests done on her digestive system. After which we were transported back to Barwon Health Geelong. When we got back to Geelong, it almost felt as if we were back at ‘home’ and we remained supported by the nurses and made connections with them over our 2 week stay in Geelong and Melbourne. 

On day 14 of life, Diana was transferred to Warrnambool Neonatal SCN, which meant we were far closer to home. During Diana’s stay in Warrnambool, our main focus was helping her gain weight and getting to 36 weeks gestation where she may to be able to be discharged. Diana was able to go home after 29 days in total. Staying in 3 seperate hospitals.

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation was able to offer us resources and documents to read while Diana was in hospital that reassured us and helped us understand what was happening. The booklets we got were able to educate us on how Diana’s development may differ from a full term baby as well as giving us somewhere to reflect and read other families stories. LLTF was also able to send us a care package with handmade items for Diana.

Diana is now 7 months and the joy of our lives. She has just started to sit up on her own and loves eating her solids foods. We did struggle with her weight gain for a short period, but now she is gaining heaps and is catching up to her peers.

Our advice to other NICU and SCN parents is that your baby is in the best care possible. Trust your nurses, and be there for each other and your child. You will get past this challenge and you will bring your baby home when the time is right. Your baby needs to be ready.

Dale and myself will be walking as part of Team Diana. Our daughter will be with us on the day in her pram. We just know that she’ll love seeing the other kids, and we’ll enjoy connecting with other families.