Joe’s story

Late on Sunday 5th of June 2005 Sara went into labour at just 25 weeks gestation. The next day Sara was moved to St Mary’s and 12 hours later gave birth to Joseph and Thomas, born at only 1 pound and 4 ounces and 1 pound and 2 ounces.

The boys were admitted to the Winnicott and their survival hung in the balance over the first few days. Slowly the boys started to improve, though for every small step forward, there seemed to be three backwards, as the boys fought a series of infections and required ventilation for over a month.

At 14 days Joe came out of his incubator for a much needed cuddle with mum. A week later both boys were out for an amazing ‘double cuddle’.

After 56 days in intensive care the boys were moved ‘across the corridor’ to high dependency and the prognosis started to look good.

Unfortunately, after 10 weeks of care, baby Tom’s condition deteriorated and he was moved back into intensive care. Over the next week Tom became increasingly unstable, diagnosed with NEC, a severe infection of the intestines. After a brave 83 day fight he passed away in his parents’ arms.

Back on the unit, Joe continued to thrive and now at 6 pounds weight was quickly moved to the special care unit. Two days before discharge, Joe came off oxygen and, after 108 days on the unit, two very nervous parents finally took Joe home.

Joe is now two and a half years old and a happy, cheeky little toddler. His family owe the Winnicott unit an amazing debt for providing the most amazing care for both their boys. Every premature baby deserves no less.