In July, Amber Webster, from Middlesbrough, went into labour unexpectedly, believing she was experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.
After attending the hospital’s maternity triage at 6am and being sent home at midday, just hours later the 29-year-old suddenly felt the urge to push.
Her husband, Josh Webster, immediately phoned 111, who talked him through what to do while an ambulance was dispatched.
After 15 minutes on the phone, their son Jude arrived two minutes before paramedics reached the house.
The start of Jude’s journey
Born weighing just 3lb 6oz, he was immediately wrapped in towels before being placed in what Amber describes as a “foil bag” to keep him warm.
She said: “We were rushed into the back of the ambulance and taken straight to James Cook’s maternity unit.
“I remember looking over and seeing him in a foil bag with little slits in it, all we could see were his eyes.”
On arrival at hospital, the family were taken directly to the neonatal unit, where Jude stayed for 22 days.
Having had no prior experience of neonatal care, first time mum Amber quickly learned how the unit worked, including how babies are moved between bays as their condition improves.
“Over the weeks it was amazing to see him moving through the room numbers,” she said.
During his stay Jude struggled with feeding, as babies born so early have not yet learned how to swallow.
He was supported with a feeding tube, steadily gained weight and breathed well throughout.
Amber praised the neonatal team for the care and compassion they showed the whole family.
She said: “I can’t thank the neonatal team enough; it was like a little family.
“You see the same nurses, and even when they were on a different rota, they would still pop their head in to see how we were doing.”
One nurse, Andrea, made a lasting difference by teaching Amber how to breastfeed and helping her feel confident ahead of taking Jude home.
She added: “We’d be there from early morning and sometimes until 2am, depending on if Jude was having a good day. I never once felt like I was intruding.
“Leaving him was the hardest, but every single person in the unit went above and beyond and made us and Jude feel special.”
The unit’s parent app also helped when Amber and Josh couldn’t always be there, sending updates and photos of feeds and nappy changes.
“I’m so grateful we had that,” she said.
Going from strength to strength
Reflecting on when they were finally given the green light to take Jude home, Amber said: “It was so special. Jude, like the other babies, was given a little graduation hat and his name went on the NICU graduate’s wall.”
Now thriving and described as a “happy baby”, Amber says she never imagined, in those early days, that they would be able to bring Jude home.
She added: “Every single person went above and beyond, he’s where his is today because of them.”
Giving back
Inspired to give something back, Amber and her colleagues, at Hays Travel Redcar, organised a charity coach trip to York to raise funds for the neonatal unit via Our Hospitals Charity.
Through ticket sales, bingo and raffle prizes donated by local businesses, an impressive £900 was raised.
Louise Dixon, branch manager for Hays Travel Redcar, said: “Each year, we hold a charity event to support a cause close to our hearts, and this time we chose the neonatal unit. The care Amber, our assistant manager, and her family received was exceptional.
“We’re delighted they’re doing so well. We will always be grateful for the compassion, expertise and support provided during such a critical time.”
How Our Hospitals Charity is helping babies and families
Thanks to the kindness and generosity of supporters, Our Hospitals Charity has been able to help babies and families in a range of ways, including:
- Creating a tranquil and relaxing outdoor space where people can take a break from the busy ward
- Supporting those special days in hospital such as Easter, Mother’s and Father’s Days and Christmas
- Supporting keepsakes for families of babies who have sadly passed away
- Refurbishing family rooms
- Funding Mini Boos for parents and their babies. Mini Boos are small, comfort blankets used in the neonatal unit to help bonding, attachment and even milk production by transferring scents. They come in pairs. One is given to the parent and the other to the baby. They are then exchanged frequently so the baby has the smell of their mum in their incubator.
- Offering vCreate, a free secure video messaging service which allows staff to record and send pictures and video updates to parents, which helps minimises any separation anxiety for families
To find out more about Our Hospitals Charity’s neonatal charitable fund webpage.