17/11/2025
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY - 2025
When you step into parenthood, you never imagine that your baby might arrive far too soon. Yet it happens far more often than we realise—and it is one of the most frightening, overwhelming journeys a parent can face. Nothing prepares you for it. You simply live through it moment by moment, and it is incredibly tough.
I’ve experienced prematurity multiple times. Our twins were born at 34 weeks, Franchesca at 28 weeks, and Georgina at 36 weeks. Each birth was different, but each one was equally challenging in its own way.
When Georgina was born at 36 weeks in 2008, she became very unwell with jaundice. We spent 7 days in hospital until she was feeding well enough and her levels had dropped. She recovered quickly, but as my first baby, the fear stayed with me. It made every pregnancy after that so much more anxiety-filled.
Then in 2011, Franchesca arrived at just 28 weeks. I have never felt more terrified. Neither of us was ready, but she decided it was time. From the moment labour started to the moment she was born was less than an hour—two pushes, and she was here. She was taken straight to NICU, where she stayed for 6 weeks before she was strong enough to come home.
When our twins arrived at 34 weeks, I had already spent weeks on bedrest because of a shortening cervix, so I knew early labour was likely—but that didn’t make it any less frightening. Delivering not one but two premature babies was overwhelming. Little Catherine came first, struggling to breathe, and was taken to NICU immediately. Elizabeth followed, tiny like her sister but breathing much better. Both spent 6 weeks in the NICU, cared for by the most incredible medical staff.
I will forever be grateful for the NICU teams who supported us each time. The care, the compassion, the technology—they gave our babies the best possible start.
Never underestimate the strength of premature babies. They fight so incredibly hard to grow, to breathe, to survive. But sadly, not all of them make it—and that is truly heartbreaking.
On this World Prematurity Day, we honour all premature babies—especially the precious little ones who are no longer with us. Please join me in praying for the families who are still grieving.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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