Miracle Mum, Tanya faced many challenges welcoming baby Kiara into the world. She was a teen mother dealing with the added stress of caring for a 3-month premature baby. Tanya shares how her beautiful baby is now all grown up and was the best thing to ever happen to her.

"Caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls, coal into diamonds.

12 weeks prem and now 17.... the pressure of staying alive.... So much strength and beauty in so many ways. Kiara, if you ever question your purpose, you certainly are meant to be here. 

I never thought I would be a statistic, but I was a teen mum. I was 18 when I had my first baby and now here we are this year, celebrating the last year of her childhood. Words cannot even begin to explain how proud I am of her... of the human she has become. Thank you, Kiara, for choosing me to be your mum.

Not only was I a teen mum, but I had her three months prematurely. Kiara was born at 27 weeks and was 1400g. I faced huge pressures emotionally, physically and socially ... and endured some difficult and challenging times as a result. It wasn't the early stages of her being in the special care nursery but it was the long road ahead with lots of follow up appointments and learning this new way of parenthood with a prem baby. 

Not being able to take your baby home straight away. Spending every night without your baby for ten weeks. 
Knowing how brave she had to be when her mummy had to leave her after visiting hours were up. 
Seeing so much body hair all over my newborn from being so early. 
Seeing multiple tubes and probes in multiple holes. 
Seeing a baby who was too early to have sucking reflexes so she had to be fed by a tube until she learnt how to. 

It is amazing how life works and heartbreaking at the same time. But I think being 18 and naive helped. I was too young to really understand the possible consequences of a premature birth. I just took it in my stride as opposed to going through it at this age.

I remember one of Kiara’s special care nurses telling me, her mum had her when she was 16 and how wonderful her life was and the fact she loved having a young mum. It meant the world to me... her non-judgmental and comforting story was helpful for me at such a scary time. The nurses in those special care nurseries are serious earth angels.

Being a young mum means we got to meet a little earlier and love her a little longer. She’s my miracle baby. I believe there’s something much bigger than her and I.... a plan much greater than our own... they knew better than I did that I needed a baby then. She's the centre of my universe... I hope I have become a better person and hopefully a great mum. She is the best irresponsible thing I did."

Want to share your story too? We welcome every Miracle family story, no matter what stage of the journey you're at.
We encourage those wishing to share their story to submit it below:

Share your family story