Thank you for taking the time to read about our special daughter Poppy. This is her story.

On Christmas Eve she was diagnosed with severe early onset IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) at our 20-week scan. In brief, this is where the placenta isn’t working well, which in turn affects a baby's growth. We went back for more scans on Boxing Day and her picture had worsened. They prepared us to expect the worst within days.

Fast forward 8 weeks and 16 scans later, and we were still in the race. Our little girl was gaining weight and putting on a show every time we got scanned. It felt like she was trying out for various Olympic sports every evening. She was so busy.

We had unbelievable support in what was not an ideal pregnancy, and a special shout out to Elina, our Consultant, who fought in our corner and guided us through, ensuring we always knew the risks. We crossed paths with Elina on Christmas Day when she called to give blood results, and she didn’t leave our side. She even delivered our little girl.

In the last week, we were scanned every day and when the picture worsened after we’d had steroids, we made the decision to admit to hospital with a view to deliver. In the delivery theatre there were 14 people there to help us, with the majority from the NICU team, ready to welcome Poppy to her new home. On the 15th February at 27+1, Poppy arrived, and my goodness did our little girl make a great 1st impression. We had been prepped that there may not be time for a first cuddle. She had other plans.

With IUGR you become obsessed with weight. Where we had hoped for her to weigh 500g, she was 605g. We couldn’t believe it. She arrived wriggling away, she squeezed Elina’s finger, she was breathing by herself, and she opened her eyes. She was this perfect tiny little lady, although by the frown on her face, we think she was a little annoyed at the interruption to her busy schedule.

Once NICU team had checked her, we got that family cuddle. She was then taken to NICU, Dad in tow, ready to settle into her new home. The picture you see above is a “NICU cuddle”, and these pictures are so special to us.

Unfortunately, after such a strong start, Poppy’s heart gave out a few hours later. All the NICU team were on hand and tried a number of things to help her. Blood tests showed that there was the equivalent of a high amount of lactic acid present, which showed she had been working so very hard.

We are so honoured to have such a tiny but mighty daughter. She defied all the odds, arrived in better shape than anyone could have hoped, and she held on long enough to meet her Mummy and Daddy. For that we will always be grateful.

Both the care that we received during pregnancy, and the care we received once she arrived was incredible. The love and care we received, is something we will be eternally grateful for.

To celebrate our little girl’s life, we would like to raise money for the NICU unit at Kings College. They gave her the best chance and were ready to be her home. There are too many people to thank, but Chris from the NICU team in particular, was just wonderful.

Here’s to Poppy, the perfect tiny Powerhouse.

All our love,

Fern and Ben (Mum and Dad)