“I had a normal pregnancy until I ruptured my membranes at 29+5 weeks. Due to the early gestation, I could not deliver my baby in Ballarat where we had planned. I was transferred by ambulance to the Mercy in Heidelberg. It was a waiting game then, and I was monitored closely by the amazing nurses and doctors, including regular CTG’s. I was given IV steroids during this time which would support my baby’s lungs as she was likely to be born prematurely.

At 31 weeks exactly, it was quickly decided that morning to send me to theatre for a Caesarean, as my bloods indicated a possible infection.

Coco was born safely, weighing in at 1537 grams. She was placed on precautionary CPAP for a short time. Coco spent the first 2 days of her life in the NICU at the Mercy before she was shifted down the ward into the Special Care Nursery (SCN).

Coco continued to kick goals, and only one week after she was born, she was transferred by PIPER to the SCN at Barwon Health in Geelong where we live. This was her home for the next month.

Five and a half weeks after she born, we finally brought our baby daughter and little sister home on the 17th of June where finally she could be reunited with her big sister and meet her family and friends.

We will forever be grateful for the amazing and wonderful care that Coco received from everyone at the Mercy NICU and SCN, PIPER and Barwon Health SCN. We know how lucky we are".