Finley’s Story

Having a baby really is one of the most exciting times of your life but for a large number of us sadly it isn’t all plain sailing. Due to complications during my pregnancy we knew there was a strong possibility Finley would be born prematurely. Although we knew this as first time parents we didn’t really know what this meant in reality.

The day arrived and it was decided Finley was going to be born by emergency C-Section at Kingston Hospital. From this moment onwards I genuinely believe that neither of us could have been in better hands. Finley was born weighing 3pounds 7ounces and was the most beautiful tiny baby I had ever seen. After all the waiting he was here but he was very very poorly.

Finn was whisked away and the doctors and nurses began working on him to diagnose what was going on and how they could give him the best chance at thriving.

Immediately I felt as if it had all been a dream as I watched the other mums with their babies and I was in my own. Then lovely Pauline appeared with one of granny Mo’s blankets for me to hold and transfer my smell onto and pictures of my beautiful Finley who I hadn’t seen since he was whisked away in the theatre.
Throughout the next few days it was a bit of an emotional roller coaster but the support we all received from the NNU was out of this world.

In the early hours daddy was by Finley’s side but I was still fully updated on how Finn was doing good and bad and I felt part of the decisions that were being made.
Later that day when I was able I was wheeled down to the NNU and I sat watching Finn in his giraffe incubator. It was very scary at first but as soon as I saw granny Mo’s blanket with Finley and the reassuring faces around the unit I knew there was no need to be afraid.

Then came the time for me to go home, leaving the most precious part of me with the doctors and nurses and all the staff on the NNU really made the unthinkable manageable. I knew I could ring at any time day or night and would be completely reassured that my little man was in the best hands.

For Finns 6 week stay the hours spent on the unit were so special for all the family and everyone was always made welcome which was great to help with bonding. The nurses were brilliant helping me to express and tube feed Finley and showing us the best ways to change Finns tiny nappy and giving him his first bath. Every day we felt more and more capable of giving this tiny 3 pounder everything he needed, we began to feel like the parents we had always wanted to be.

I was also lucky enough to make special friends on the unit. 5 amazing mummy’s who shared my tears, shared stories in the expressing room as well as worry and laughter during the day’s and nights we all spent together on the unit.
Finley also has 5 incubator buddies who he loves spending time with. Such special boys who have been by his side during some of the toughest and most fun times of his short life combined.

Eventually the time came that I could bring Finley home. On his last night we had a ‘sleepover’ where Finn stayed in a room with just us and no nurses although we were very reassured to know help was just in the next room.

The final morning I was guided through Finley’s medication and needs and completely reassured that I could do it (Sue even helped us with his car seat). After saying our goodbyes we left the unit, completely overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions we walked through the doors to begin the next stage of Finley’s life.

We owe so much to all on the NNU team and Born too Soon. I also had the pleasure of making lifelong friends with Finns incubator buddies and their mums and dads. For some people a job is just a job but for the NNU staff at Kingston their total dedication and extreme professionalism is truly outstanding.