🐝 THE REASON

So as the girls’ first Birthday approaches Tom and I finally feel we have recovered enough from everything the year has brought, to raise some money for the wonderful charities that helped us in the darkest days of our lives.

As most of you know our beautiful bees were born under fairly traumatic circumstances, 10 weeks early, on 12th July last year. They weighed just over 2lbs each. Due to the level of expertise needed to look after them I was transferred by ambulance to Oldham (80 miles away from home) to give birth, it was then a waiting game for the girls to be well enough for us all to make it home.

At 3 days old Florence developed a bowel obstruction which they feared would perforate and she was transferred extremely swiftly to the surgical neonatal intensive care unit in Manchester St Mary’s.

As you all know thankfully, the story has a very happy ending; on days 16 and 18 the girls made it back to North Wales and after 52 very long days we all made it home together.

The experience was easily the most traumatic thing I have ever been through. We spent weeks wondering if our babies were going to survive and whether we would all make it home. There were several charities that, in those dark days, made things slightly easier and we now want to do our part and help raise some money to help them continue the wonderful work they do to help parents and families like ours.

🐝 THE CHALLENGE:

On Saturday 15th July, Tom and I plan to walk 13 miles, from Prestatyn to Colwyn Bay, to represent the journey we regularly took between Mabli and Flori, whilst praying that they would one day be reunited. We plan to do this whilst carrying the girls, who most definitely do not weigh 2lbs anymore!!

🐝 THE CHARITIES:

Spoons and Cuddles-

Both charities offer similar support with Spoons covering the hospitals we were in in Greater Manchester and Cuddles in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in North Wales. At a time where so much seemed unsure both charities offered us a friendly face and carefully put together welcome packs that helped ease our transition onto the different units. We were especially grateful to Cuddles for providing us with a voucher for our lunch each day, little things like this make such a huge difference at a time where caring for ourselves seemed such a low priority, it also came at a time where we were extremely financially strained with maternity pay, travel costs and the further costs of having to live away from home for 2 months. Spoons provides a comprehensive list of aftercare service for lots of parents too, an important element of the bigger picture that comes with having a baby admitted to a neonatal unit.

Ronald McDonald-

One of the difficulties in being in a hospital so far from home was never knowing where you would spend the night. When you’re so worried about your babies’ health it’s something that seems so trivial but with neonatal stays being a marathon rather than a sprint for many, having somewhere reliable to sleep is so important. Ronald McDonald house provided this for Tom in Manchester. He had his own room and a space to cook and unwind. They looked after him so well and he was often provided with treats and meals which made the days so much easier.

Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK-

Is a small charity run by a knowledgeable team who help provide evidence based information and support to parents of multiples wishing to breastfeed. Most of you know how important breastfeeding the girls has been to me. Practically, breastmilk was the best medicine for Flori's bowel infection and also gave the girls the best start possible after coming so early. It provided them with sustenance and immunity alongside hundreds of other magical things. For me personally it helped me develop the bond with the girls that was missing in the early days where we were separated and even when together were only able to touch them through the portholes of an incubator. Breastfeeding was something all three of us had to work very hard at and something I had to fight very hard for. Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK, provided me with the information and support I needed to keep going and continue to support me even now.

Homestart-

Most parents who have a baby admitted to a neonatal unit will agree that “prematurity doesn’t end at discharge”. Babies who are born early and small are more vulnerable than most and lots of parents who have been through that journey with their children have additional anxieties. For me I left hospital with intrusive thoughts about the girls safety, hyper vigilance to danger and very vivid and upsetting flashbacks that were later diagnosed as PTSD. That alongside the general difficulties of raising two tiny newborn babies meant I was desperately crying out for help. Homestart have been truly incredible, we have the most wonderful volunteer who comes and helps me with the girls, we have joined baby groups when getting out of the house was hard and in general they have helped improve my confidence and lighten the load I felt I was carrying alone.

From Tom, The Bees and I, any support you could give us would be gratefully received. Every £1 will make such a difference to these charities and therefore families like ours experiencing something that no body could ever prepare you for!