Cody, 26 weeks

Cody was born at 26 weeks in June of 2024. After already having 2 children, both with extremely text book pregnancy and births, I never expected to have my 3rd child so prematurely.

Cody was born at Rockingham hospital, 40 minutes after contractions started & was quickly transferred to KEMH after birth where he stayed for 101 days.

He was born weighting 1100grams with a head full of hair and the cutest little face. On day 2 of being in the nicu we were the old that Cody was born extremely unwell with high infection levels, meningitis, early on set sepsis & chronic lung disease. It was also found upon scans that Cody had 2 brain bleeds - 1 grade 3 and 1 grade 4.

We took Cody’s journey day by day, and day by day he got stronger & bigger and before we knew it, we were approaching the finish line. But then Cody caught a viral infection in the hospital which resulted in him developing viral meningitis again. He was placed back in icu isolation and it felt like we had taken 3 steps back. But after a few weeks and learning to suck feed again, we were ready to come home.

Upon discharge, we were sat down with Cody’s Neonatologist and told that his grade 4 bleed hadn’t dissolved as they had hoped & that Cody was at risk or having cerebral palsy.

The road to get to where we are hasn’t been easy. Due to his chronic lung disease, we have faced many hospital admissions with bronchiolitis and respiratory illnesses, & a few weeks ago we were told that Cody has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy - spastic hemiplegia.

He is the most determined little boy, who has taken the world in his hands and defied all the odds. At 21 months he’s taken his first steps and is ready to move mountains.

I share Cody’s story in hopes to give other parents going through a similar situation to ours hope that these babies are absolute miracles and can do amazing things 🤍✨