NICU Awareness Day 2024
In this, the unit’s 25th anniversary year at Medway Maritime Hospital,
it felt more important than ever to share as much as possible; to highlight the hard workers here, to show what supporting the charity can achieve, to demonstrate some of the reasons why babies might end up here and to show that a NICU journey is non-discriminatory.
Our PR officer, Hannah, shares about her job and why she does what she does.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, she was diagnosed with IUGR (Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction) and suddenly, I was being told my baby would need constant monitoring, would be coming early and being toured around a NICU. At the time, staff didn’t expect me to last until 30 weeks, but we made it to 32. Maggie entered the world a tiny 2lb 10 ounces. Whilst I was so, so grateful, those early days were terrifying, and here is why:
I have three siblings, five gorgeous nieces and nephews, and countless cousins who have little ones, plus many friends with healthy, bouncy babies. Meeting a premature baby, however, had never happened to me. Now here I was with a baby that fitted into the palm of her Dad’s hand. I was so scared of breaking her or dislodging one of the many lines and wires that were stuck to her and the beeping machines petrified me as I had no idea what they meant.
“I deeply believe it is important to lift that stigma. Helping spread awareness around The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit and all the facets of a NICU journey is my role all year round, and being able to do that holds a special place in my heart, as I’m sure you can imagine. ”
No one talks about a NICU to a parent until they need to know about it; it’s almost hushed up as it means admitting your worst fears. However, I deeply believe it is important to lift that stigma. Helping spread awareness around The Oliver Fisher Neonatal Unit and all the facets of a NICU journey is my role all year round, and being able to do that holds a special place in my heart, as I’m sure you can imagine. But there is something special about September, and the increased coverage that NICU Awareness Month allows for.
If being able to raise awareness of the OFNU means even one person doesn’t have a completely alien and unknown start to their NICU journey, then I’ve done my job. Not only that, but if we manage to spread the word about the miracles that can happen in this place, then we can increase the funds the charity raises. That allows us to support the Unit even more. We want to give the babies and their families the absolute best of care available. I have been on the receiving end of that; it makes the difference.
