Miracles Galore in Newcastle

Novocastrian parents came out in force with their miracle babies for the inaugural Newcastle NurtureGroup held on Tuesday 11 October at St John the Baptist in Lambton.

Miracle Babies Foundation welcomed families to its newest NurtureGroup with the aim of supporting families and carers who have had babies admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN), either through prematurity or complications as a result of their birth or congenital abnormalities.

Approximately 1600 Hunter and New England babies spend time in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN). Some will spend many months under the watchful care of the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – the largest in NSW.

Naomi Rohr, National NurtureGroup has a unique insight into these families’ journeys having experienced the birth of two premature babies, one at 29 weeks in 2003 and another at 25 weeks in 2005. “Between Caden and Eli we spent a total of 8 months in hospital and it was at times very isolating. NurtureGroup offers a forum to share similar experiences, build support networks and ease the isolation that can often be felt by these families”.

Babies like 6 month old Leila Williams born at 27 weeks gestation and her mum Trudi. "We spent 12 weeks in the NICU at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital. It was wonderful today to be able to share my experience with other mums, as well as catch up withthose I met during our hospital stay".

Miracle Babies Foundation was delighted to welcome staff from the John Hunter Children’s Hospital including Neonatology, Social Work and Occupational Therapy. We are also extremely appreciative of the ongoing support with staff attending NurtureGroup intermittently to provide information, assistance, and expert advice of the children’s development.

Left to Right (back): Amy with Sophie, Susan with Liliana, Sarah with Ethan, Nicola with Ethan & Bailey, Catherine with Nicholas, Sammy with Lachlan, Suraya with Tyler

Left to Right (front): Jennifer with Skye, Katie with Aria & Liam, Trudi with Leila