Helping reggie and Evan give something back

Hi there, our names are Reggie and Evan

we both were in the neonatal unit, princess Anne hospital together at the end of last year. Here are our stories…

In November 2020 I went into sudden labour with our son Reggie at 26 weeks pregnant. It was a very scary time for me my husband and other children. In under an hour I was sat home, then on way to hospital, to theatre, and put to sleep.When he was 1st born he had to be ventilated twice and he was put on the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Where he stayed for 13 weeks. During his time there he developed sepsis, blood infection, 2 collapsed lungs and numerous infections. He was also born with brain damage the severity of it is still unknown, bone disease and chronic lung disease, he also underwent laser eye surgery on both eyes. It was a very tough road that we have had to go down with plenty of bumps along the way. He is now home however is still on constant oxygen and this will be for the foreseeable future. As much as we have had a really tough time and still have a long road ahead we are extremely gratefull for the help, love and support we received from NICU. We have decided that for Reggie’s birthday 1st birthday we are going to hold an event and all proceeds will go to the NICU to help other babies and families in the same situation.

We are holding the event at st Mary’s stadium.

Evan’s story

It was boxing day 2020 and I hadn’t felt Evan move as much as usual, unfortunately my last midwife appointment had to postponed until the new year as the midwife had to isolate due to Covid rules and there was no cover. So I wasn’t assessed for a number of weeks.

I rang the hospital and went in for a check-up. Evan was fine but I was not, I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and told that I needed medication and deliver my baby early and it was a case of trying to hang on for as long as possible. In the next few days I developed HELLP syndrome and my organs started to fail. That’s when the doctor decided I needed an emergency c section as allowing the pregnancy to continue was a threat to my life.

Evan was successfully delivered on 6th January at 2lb 8oz and taken straight to the neonatal unit where he was put on a ventilator to save his life. We spent 9 whole agonising weeks in the neonatal unit undergoing various procedures due to the poor state of his lungs and heart but made amazing progress and was finally off oxygen and home by his due date. That’s also where we met the other amazing parents of neonatal babies including Reggie & his mum & Dad.

We’re so thankful for everything the neonatal unit did for Evan and us as parents.

we are looking to raise as much money as we possibly can for the amazing unit that not only saved our babies but many others that have to be cared for each year.

Its not only premature babies that nicu care for, term babies too who are unfortunately poorly.

on the 26th November we will be raising money and celebrating with green and purple balloons for all the babies that pass through NICU.

we also have a Facebook event page if you want to take a look at all our incredible donations..SO FAR!!!

Even if yo can spare £1 it all helps to buy equipment for the unit, we are also looking to give the nurses a nee staff room, somewhere they can relax and enjoy being whilst doing one of the hardest jobs in the world,

please help Reggie and Evan give something back