Rachel Penna

Rachel is mum to Anne and Wlademir. Anne was born at 33 weeks’ gestation, weighing 1.7kg, after a premature rupture of membranes at 31 weeks. Rachel spent two weeks admitted at St John of God Hospital before Anne firmly decided it was time to arrive. After a two-minute ambulance ride, Anne was born twelve hours later at Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Anne spent four weeks in NICU and SCN at Fiona Stanley Hospital, where Miracle Dad Felipe and Rachel met Megan — the Miracle Babies angel they didn’t know they needed at NurtureTime. Rachel and Anne had a short time at home before returning to the Mother and Baby Unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital for another four weeks, where Rachel received support for Postnatal Depression and Anxiety.


After five years attending Willetton NurtureGroup, Anne is now nine and thriving, alongside her full-term “wireless” seven-year-old brother, Wlademir. Rachel is a full-time working parent, constantly running between work, school pick up, activities and the gym. She also generously gives her time to the Parent and Patient Advisory Group, while making the most of every opportunity to travel the world with the family.