21 October 2024
Since the funding support of Telethon for the first time ever in 2024, Miracle Babies Foundation has significantly increased its impact for families in WA with a baby in critical specialised care.
Miracle Babies Foundation has a team of NutureProgram Support Workers, some staff and others volunteer, supporting families in Perth’s biggest Hospitals including King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth Children’s, Fiona Stanley and Joondalup, along with after-discharge play and support groups once families are finally able to take their vulnerable newborn home.
Miracle Babies’ NurtureTime service provides guidance, reassurance and a listening ear to families sadly facing the overwhelming and emotional experience of having a baby spending weeks or sometimes months in hospital due to prematurity or sickness at birth. As parents are discharged from the hospital, they spend the first few weeks or months of their baby’s life traveling back and forth to be by their side. Whilst trying to maintain a normal life for siblings at home and dealing with their own mental health, which can be impacted by such a traumatic experience, these families can often feel isolated and lack the support that they need to navigate having a baby born not as expected.
Thanks to Telethon’s support, the program has seen significant improvements and has continued to expand. Miracle Babies’ in hospital hours for NurtureTime have increased from 2 to 20 hours per fortnight at King Edward Memorial Hospital, at the same time, for the first time, Miracle Babies is delivering this support cot-side in the King Edward Memorial Hospital unit, rather than parents having to leave their newborn’s side to be supported outside of the NICU.
This change has led to a 2560% increase in the number of families with a premature or critically ill newborn supported by Miracle Babies at King Edward Memorial Hospital alone, with 479 support interactions with families receiving one-on-one, peer, emotional support in the last three months. Furthermore, there has been a 43% increase in the number of families supported in Fiona Stanley Hospital and 640% increase at Perth Children’s Hospital, with support also now moving cot-side.
“Megan introduced herself to my partner and I in the first or second week of our daughter’s life. Eva arrived at 25+5 weeks and understandably, we were very overwhelmed with the NICU. In a situation where each day is different and with so many uncertainties, I was extremely grateful to have Megan’s visits as a constant. I knew that every Monday and Wednesday she would be there to check in. It wasn’t until my partner returned to work that I really appreciated the friendly face and chats that Megan provided. Being from the country and not having any family in Perth, Megan has kept me connected with the outside world. Our chats have helped my mental health and it’s just really nice seeing a familiar face amongst the ever-rotating nurses. Megan has also been a NICU mum to two premmie boys, so there is never any judgment and so much understanding of what we are going through. We have been on our journey now for 16 weeks and I am ever thankful for Megan and Miracle Babies Foundation!” – Mum to Eva, 25 weeks
Telethon’s support has strengthened the delivery of Miracle Babies’ NurtureProgram in WA through capacity and improvements around the programs’ operations, leading to greater value for WA hospitals and families.
“By having the same person come here and then also attend Fiona Stanley Hospital and to Perth Children’s Hospital has allowed continuity and consistency, which is invaluable for our parents who must adjust to daily changes. We are such a busy unit with up to 100 beds and many families have significant complex social needs – so our priority is sometimes vulnerable or high-risk cases which means we can’t provide the emotional support to these families. In those situations, Megan’s input is invaluable and reassuring that she is available to provide this support and consistency.” - Social Work, King Edward Memorial Hospital
“The extension of the service hours and presence has allowed support for a greater number of families with enhanced regularity and consistency. This expansion has been crucial in providing continuous care, especially for families whose babies are transferred between hospitals. Ensuring continuity of support during these transitions has markedly reduced stress and improved the overall experience for parents…The regular and consistent interaction with families and staff has allowed a tailored scaffold system to meet the specific needs of each individual family, thereby improving outcomes for both parents and their babies. Furthermore, this increased presence acts as an added layer of support for the healthcare team by aligning their efforts with our care plans to ensure a holistic support system in place.” - Neonatology, King Edward Memorial Hospital
Thank you to Telethon for this wonderful, important support which has made a significant difference to the lives of more of WA’s vulnerable babies and their families.
“Megan Norbury from the Miracle Babies
Foundation became my lifeline during our NICU
stay across two different hospitals. She provided
support, stability and reassurance through one of
the hardest experiences of my life. Megan gave
advice and wisdom to questions and thoughts I
had. Seeing her face each week gave comfort,
knowing she would consistently show up each
week to check how things were going. Without
Miracle Babies supporting the NICU in Perth my
stay could have been very different. I will forever
be grateful to Megan for all the aid she provided.”
– Miracle Mum, Amanda. Mum to Mason and
Jax born at 25 weeks, also mum to Riley born
at 28 weeks.
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