Being pregnant, no matter if it is your first or third pregnancy, can be a daunting experience.
Delivering your baby prematurely, before 37 weeks, can be life threatening for both the mother and baby.
Premature babies often require medical support for breathing, feeding and temperature regulation.
This week, families who have delivered premature births in the last five years were invited to Sunshine Coast Health’s first premmie picnic, to reconnect with neonatal ward staff and meet more parents with similar experiences.
Initiated by Nicole Wharton and the team from SCUH’s neonatal ward, this picnic was held to celebrate families who have been touched by premature births and boost awareness.
“One in 10 babies are born premature in the world, and this number hasn’t changed in 15 years,” Nicole said.
“We are really promoting education and research into premature births.”
Wishlist was proud to be involved, and caught up with familiar faces, like our 2024 GM5 ambassador Jess Sumpton and daughter Nellie, who was born eleven weeks early.
While she was emotional looking back at the traumatic experience, she was grateful of the support she received from SCUH staff and Wishlist.
Nellie is now happy, healthy and thriving.
Check out the highlights from the Premmie Picnic below.
