'He was resuscitated for 12 minutes': NI mum on premature son's journey

A mum from Northern Ireland has opened up on her premature son's journey growing into a "thriving wee boy."

Speaking out to mark World Prematurity Day, Rachel Irvine opened up on her son's journey of being born prematurely at 36 weeks and spending time in the Ulster Hospital's Neo Natal Unit. Described by his mum as a “thriving wee boy”, the little 22-month-old has exceeded all expectations.

Rachel said: “I knew that day there was something not quite right. I had had a uterine rupture and Oliver was born not quite breathing.

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"He was resuscitated for 12 minutes, he had seizures and was placed on a cooling mat. Oliver had an MRI scan on day five. No parent ever expects to be in this position, having a baby born so early and so sick.

"I never thought I would be in this position, having a child in the Neo-Natal Unit and when you see all that goes into looking after the babies I wanted to give something back."

Rachel explained how even when Oliver was a few days old she decided to run the Belfast Marathon to raise funds for the New Natal Unit and premature charity Tiny Life.

“Running the marathon was such an achievement and I was really glad I could do it after having such a traumatic birth.," she added.

Through her fundraising efforts, Rachel raised £1,900 and purchased a pram for the Neo Natal Unit, books and teddy bears to mark World Prematurity Day on Sunday November 17, with funds also going to Tiny Life.

Jill Trimble gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl at 30 weeks. The support of Tiny Life proved so invaluable that she became a Family Support Officer with the charity.

“For new parents of babies that have been born prematurely, it’s a massive emotional journey,” said Jill. “I think it’s really important to raise awareness for families who are currently going through it and for them to understand that other families have been there and to realise what support there is out there.”

Jill described Rachel’s fundraising marathon feat as “amazing”. She said: “Rachel ran the Marathon for the Neo Natal Unit and for Tiny Life.

"We are Northern Ireland’s only premature baby charity and we rely so heavily on donations and fundraising so that we can continue to have our groups and offer support to those families who need it. We deliver baby massage, our Tiny Time monthly catch up groups which bring parents together to have that shared space.”

Ulster Hospital Neo-Natal Nurse Cathy Ervine’s connection to the Irvine family is extremely special as Cathy looked after Oliver in the Unit when he was born.

She said: “We really appreciate everything Rachel has done and for her donation to the Unit. The pram, books and teddies are really great to have and it’s so kind of Rachel and we get to give these lovely books to families on the Ward. It’s nice to have a bit of normality and some presents while the parents and their babies are here on the Ward.

“I looked after Oliver when he was born and it’s lovely to see him looking so well. He looks amazing now and you would never think he was so sick or so tiny when he was in here.”

“I think it’s really important to raise awareness of the Neo Natal Unit and the fact that babies can end up in here and to offer support to parents to let them know that they are not alone and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

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