Staying close through an unexpected start
Nothing about our journey into parenthood went the way we expected.
When we found out we were expecting our daughter, Cordelia, we felt incredibly lucky. We conceived quickly, but from the beginning our pregnancy came with added challenges. I have Type 1 diabetes, so I was already considered high risk, and as the months went on, more complications began to appear.
I developed pregnancy-induced hypertension and hyperemesis, while my kidney function started to deteriorate. We were also told that Cordelia was measuring small because my placenta was not working properly. Despite the challenges, we remained hopeful and focused on getting through each day.
Everything changed at 27 weeks when I was rushed into hospital with pneumonia and kidney failure. I spent eight days in intensive care before being discharged, but only four days later I was back in hospital again. This time, I was diagnosed with fungal pneumonia, sepsis and pre-eclampsia.
My condition deteriorated rapidly. My lungs began to fail, I was placed into a medically induced coma, and doctors made the decision to deliver Cordelia by emergency Caesarean section at 29 weeks to save both our lives.
Cordelia weighed just 2lb 3oz when she was born and would spend the next 45 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Looking back, it is still difficult to believe how quickly everything happened. I went from expecting at least another month of pregnancy to waking up days later and being told I had a baby. I missed her birth completely, have no memory of being told she was here, and did not get to hold her until she was four days old.
That is something I can never get back, but I will always be grateful that we are both here today.
Our Stay at Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park
Throughout Cordelia’s stay in NICU, Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park became our new home.
We stayed at the House for around six weeks while our daughter remained in hospital. After everything we had been through, knowing we had somewhere safe, comfortable and close by made an enormous difference.
The last thing we needed was the additional worry of finding accommodation or travelling long distances each day. Instead, we had a place where we could rest, recover and stay close to Cordelia throughout her hospital journey.
From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and supported. It never felt like we were simply staying in a building. The staff genuinely cared about how we were doing and always took the time to ask about Cordelia.
The practical support was invaluable. The ‘Grab and Go’ corner was a lifesaver on long days when we wanted to stay close to the hospital. Being able to prepare meals, do our laundry and have somewhere quiet to recharge gave us a sense of normality during an incredibly uncertain time.
We also met other families facing their own challenges. None of us wanted to be there, but there was comfort in being surrounded by people who understood exactly what we were going through.
Looking back, it is often the small things I remember most. Staff remembering our names, asking how Cordelia was doing, and taking the time to say hello. Those simple acts of kindness meant far more than they probably realised.
Finding comfort in the little things
When your child is in intensive care, so much of life feels out of your control.
Having somewhere so close to the hospital removed one major worry at a time when everything else felt uncertain. Instead of spending hours travelling or worrying about the cost of hotels, we could focus all our energy on being with our daughter.
It also allowed me to continue recovering from a very serious illness while remaining only a short walk away from Cordelia.
The everyday things became incredibly important. Being able to cook a proper meal, wash our clothes, get some sleep and take a shower without feeling rushed helped us cope with the reality of hospital life.
Those things may sound simple, but when your family is going through one of the most difficult experiences imaginable, they make a huge difference.
Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park gave us a sense of stability when very little else felt stable.
Being together when it mattered most
Being close to Cordelia meant everything.
After missing her birth and losing those first few precious days because I was so unwell, I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Knowing she was only a few minutes away meant we could be there for her daily care, celebrate her milestones and watch her grow stronger day by day.
Every small step forward felt significant. Being nearby allowed us to experience those moments together as a family.
It also had a huge impact on my emotional wellbeing. NICU can be an incredibly overwhelming place, with many difficult and uncertain days. Being close to Cordelia helped me feel that I was doing everything I could for her as her mum.
I cannot imagine how much harder it would have been if we had been forced to leave every evening and travel back again each morning.
Being able to stay nearby allowed us to focus on what mattered most: spending time with our daughter and supporting her through the earliest weeks of her life.
A message to other families
Our experience taught us that it is important to be kind to yourself.
No parent expects to find themselves in this situation, and it is okay not to have all the answers. Take each day as it comes, accept help when it is offered, and remember to look after yourself too.
There will be difficult days, but there will also be moments of hope and progress.
At the time, it can feel impossible to imagine the day when you walk out of hospital together as a family. We felt that way too.
But that day does come.
For us, all those challenging weeks became part of the story that brought us to where we are today. We will always be grateful for the support we received from Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park and for the opportunity it gave us to stay close to Cordelia when she needed us most.
Knowing we could be by her side throughout those early weeks made all the difference.