On December 14th 2007, I was 30 weeks + 2 days pregnant with our twin daughters and at approximately 10.30am my waters broke.  I was rushed into hospital and monitored to ensure both girls were OK, and given steroids to help their little lungs develop.

I managed to hold off a few more days, however in the early hours of 17th December when I was 30 weeks + 5 days, our two precious girls made their appearance into the world.  Lauren Neve born first weighing 2lb 10oz and then Olivia Caitlin weighing 3lb 6oz.

They were quickly taken away from me and for the next few hours, I recovered whilst the girls were cared for in the Intensive Care Unit.

Over the next 7 weeks, they spent time in the Neonatal Unit and we went through many challenges, fearing the worst at one point where Lauren became severely unwell and had to face surgery at only 5 weeks old. She quickly improved and soon came home with her sister on 31st January 2008.

The time that the girls spent in hospital was a very trying time for us. However the information and support provided by Bliss, the charity to help babies born to soon, too small or too sick, helped us through.  Their leaflets available on the ward addressed our concerns and help us make sense of what was happening to us. It also help us to realise that we were not alone in our journey. Bliss's online forums also helped us to connect with other families going through similar situations - some of which did not have such a positive outcome.

Since then, we have volunteered to raise funds for Bliss and now want to try and give more back to the charity. Their work is of so much value - providing information to parents, a network of support to families and training to Neonatal Nurses.

We (along with some of our very brave friends) are completing a Firewalk in aid of Bliss on Saturday 6th February 2010 and need your help in sponsoring us. So please support us and be generous!  Please also let us know if you would like to come along on the day to cheer us on!

And now we have two healthy toddlers running around causing havoc and making us smile and soon we will be celebrating Lauren & Olivia's 2nd birthday - something we feared we would never see.

Thank you!

Gillian & Jim Monaghan

 

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