Looking at Josie today—a bright and bubbly seven year old—no one would guess that she had such a tough start to life.
Josie’s mother Jaime thought her pregnancy with twins was progressing normally, until she went into spontaneous labour after losing one of her twin babies to an abnormality, resulting in Josie being born an incredible 26 weeks early.
When Josie was born she weighed a tiny 790 grams—so small her father’s wedding ring fit around her arm.
Josie spent 76 days in Mater Mothers’ Hospitals’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit fighting for her life, and before she was one year old underwent a hearing operation.
Jaime said it was a frightening experience, but she never gave up hope she would take her daughter home healthy.
“It was scary—she looked so small and helpless, but the staff reassured me that Josie was in good hands,” Jaime said.
“It was a long wait but I finally held my baby girl for the first time when she was 12 days old.”
Today Josie is healthy and happy, thanks to Mater’s exceptional care.
“The staff were amazing through everything and I can not thank them enough for keeping my baby alive and well.”