Wow, this episode is so powerful and so precious. Hayley joins us on the podcast to share her story with Harry, her beautiful son who is now 4 years old and absolutely thriving.
Hayley and her partner, Jordan, welcomed their boy into the world at just 24 weeks old, weighing a tiny 700 grams. Harry spent the first 16 weeks of his life in the NICU after being born so prematurely, miraculously coming home on his due date.
Hayley talks us through her entire story, from her joy at falling pregnant, to being hospitalised for premature labour and the anxiety-filled weeks that followed while medical staff tried to stop her labour progressing. She shares her birth with Harry, and the complications that arose for them both.
Hayley talks vulnerably on the day-to-day NICU experience with a micro-preemie - the milestones of Harry opening his eyes for the first time, buying his first clothes and blankets, and also the challenges of waiting for his lungs to mature, navigating pumping and feeding, and sitting by his cot without being able to cuddle him.
Finally, Hayley and Jordan were able to bring Harry home and Hayley shares what these first few weeks and months looked like as they adapted to life outside of the hospital, and what has changed over the years as Harry continues to thrive.
This is such a beautiful episode, about a beautiful family. Hayley speaks so openly of an experience that so few walk, and we are so grateful for her sharing her’s and Harry’s story.
Links Hayley mentioned in the episode:
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This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Taungurung, Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung/Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge that sovereignty of the lands on which this podcast was recorded was never ceded and pay our respects to the original storytellers of this land.