A woman who gave birth to a son weighing only 690 grams at the Evelina London Hospital is backing their Christmas appeal, saying funds could help to improve facilities in rooms for new mums.
Eleanor Knight from Enfield gave birth to baby Blake in March this year at St Thomas’ hospital.
“My waters broke at 22 weeks and I was transferred from my local hospital to St Thomas’,” she explained.
But when she caught an infection at 24 weeks, she had to be induced – and Blake was born sixteen weeks premature. He weighed just 690 grams and needed round-the-clock intensive care.
The first time Eleanor saw him he was in an incubator surrounded by machines: “The whole experience was scary as he was taken away straightaway,” she said.
“I just sat there holding his hand from 9pm until two in the morning.”
Despite the scary situation she found herself in, she said she was determined to stay positive.
“The nurses told me how important it was that Blake get breastmilk due to being premature,” Eleanor explained.
“It was overwhelming but I wanted him to have the best start.
“But because he was too small to breastfeed, one of the lovely nurses showed me how to collect my milk into tiny syringes. It was such a small amount but looking back, it was gold.”
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In total, Eleanor spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“They were so amazing in there. We’re in debt to them.”
She noted that although the care she received was ‘amazing’ – some of the rooms could do with improvement to make new mums feel more at ease.
“The milk room – where mother’s can express milk to give to their new babies, that needs improving.
“At the moment it’s really small and there’s no window. So instead of feeling tranquil it makes you feel on edge.
“Even if there was a tv or music – the money could go towards that.”
It is stories like Eleanor’s that have inspired Evelina London’s Christmas appeal to improve the NICU.
The unit cares for seriously ill babies and their families when they need it most, by offering life-saving treatment and vital support.
The money raised for the hospital’s Christmas appeal will help to provide more welcoming, homely spaces at the hospital which will help to make families feel more comfortable. The funds will ensure the NICU is able to offer peaceful, calming places where worried and exhausted parents can spend precious moments with their tiny baby.
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With the support of the dedicated neonatal team, Eleanor began regularly expressing breast milk for Blake and when he was stronger, physically breastfeeding.
Now, Blake is about nine months old and “loving life.”
“He’s going be one in March. It’s gonna be a special birthday because he’s special.
“He came home with no medication and no oxygen.
“If you looked at him now, you would never know he was born premature.”
To donate to Evelina London Charity’s Christmas Appeal click HERE.
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