For Dan and Sarah, the birth of their second child, Emmy, was supposed to be a joyous occasion. But their story quickly turned into a journey they could never have prepared for. It’s a story of premature birth, unexpected struggles, and the unbreakable bond of family. Despite the many challenges Emmy faced, her parents’ unwavering hope, coupled with the incredible support they received, has led them to a place of strength and gratitude.
It all began when Sarah’s waters broke at just 23 weeks into her pregnancy. Rushed to St Michael’s Hospital, Sarah and Dan were given little hope that their baby would survive. But Sarah managed to carry Emmy for another three weeks, defying the odds. Emmy was born via emergency C-section, weighing only 1.8 lbs. She dropped to 1.5 lbs shortly after birth. The first moments with their newborn daughter were surreal for Sarah and Dan. “The feeling was scary but amazing all at the same time,” Sarah recalls. Emmy was immediately taken into intensive care with a host of medical tubes and wires.
While the birth was nothing like they had imagined, the family clung to hope. But then came devastating news—Emmy had suffered a brain bleed, a complication that could lead to lifelong challenges. The doctors explained the situation in detail, and Sarah and Dan were told to prepare for the worst. “We had to make some of the hardest decisions we’ve ever had to make,” says Sarah. Watching their daughter struggle through the pain and complications was gut-wrenching. “We couldn’t hold her, feed her, or make it feel like home,” Sarah continues. “It was just constant worry.”
Despite the terrifying setbacks, Emmy kept surprising her parents. She hit medical milestones, including gaining weight and beginning to breathe more easily. However, the biggest challenge came when it was time for Emmy to start feeding. “She could latch, but her ‘suck, swallow, breathe’ pattern was messy,” Sarah recalls. The doctors and Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) worked tirelessly with Emmy to help her learn how to feed properly. Slowly but surely, Emmy began to make progress.
The road was long and full of hardships, but Sarah and Dan kept going, supported by their 20-month-old son, Henry. “We could never see Emmy at the same time. Henry would get bored in the unit, so we took turns visiting her,” Sarah says. Balancing their time between caring for Henry and being by Emmy’s side was exhausting. But through it all, they knew they had a lifeline—Cots for Tots House.
Cots for Tots House, located just across the road from the hospital, became their home for three months. The accommodation was a blessing, allowing Sarah and Dan to stay close to Emmy without the added stress of commuting. “Having a place to stay, right across from the hospital, was a lifesaver. We didn’t have to worry about how far away home was,” says Sarah. The peace of mind that came with being so close to Emmy was invaluable.
But the support didn’t stop there. Cots for Tots House provided much more than just a roof over their heads. It created a community of families who understood exactly what Sarah and Dan were going through. “Talking to other NICU families made everything feel a little more bearable,” says Sarah. “They understood the highs and the lows. On the bad days, they became friendly faces who knew exactly how we felt.”
Henry also found comfort in the community. “Henry would light up and offer hugs when other families came down for breakfast,” Sarah laughs. The families at Cots for Tots House became more than just people going through the same thing—they became friends who helped each other through the hardest moments of their lives.
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As the weeks went by, Sarah and Dan found small victories in Emmy’s recovery. After months of hard work and patience, they decided not to push her to come off her oxygen tube before bringing her home. The process was slow, but eventually, the day came. “Emmy was finally discharged after three months,” says Dan. “We couldn’t be more thankful to everyone at St Michael’s NICU. The staff was incredible.”
Now five months old, Emmy is settling into home life and showing no signs of slowing down. “She’s hitting all her milestones and doing so well,” says Sarah with a smile. Although they don’t know exactly how being premature will affect her long-term, they’re no longer as worried as they once were. “Her future looks bright and full of love,” says Sarah.
Throughout this journey, Sarah and Dan have not only learned to navigate the uncertainty of their daughter’s health but have also been forever changed by the love and support of those around them. Cots for Tots House played a significant role in helping them stay grounded and close to their baby during the most challenging time of their lives.
As a way to give back to the people who helped their family, Dan ran the Bournemouth Marathon to raise funds for Cots for Tots. “It was a great challenge for me, and I was able to do it with the support of our friends and family,” says Dan. “We wanted to ensure that the next family going through this could have the same support we had.”
For Sarah and Dan, the journey hasn’t been easy, but their family has emerged stronger. They are incredibly grateful for the care that Emmy received and for the people who stood by them every step of the way. “We’re just so lucky,” says Sarah, reflecting on the road they’ve traveled. “Emmy is here, she’s thriving, and that’s all that matters.”
Emmy’s story is a testament to the resilience of both the family and the incredible medical staff who fought for her every step of the way. With the support of Cots for Tots House, they were able to keep their family together during their darkest days, and they’ll never forget the help they received. “We owe so much to those who helped us,” says Sarah. “We’ll never stop being grateful.”