What started as a surprise pregnancy turned into an emergency delivery within the space of a few weeks for Roxanne and her new baby, Mary-Jen (MJ)
It was during a routine regular blood test to measure her iron levels due to her anaemia, that Roxanne discovered she was pregnant.
“I was a total shock I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I had a scan a few days later and found out I was six months along,” she says.
But only days after discovering her pregnancy, Roxanne’s waters broke and she headed off to Middlemore Hospital.
“The staff there were great. They kept me rested, monitored me, and gave me steroid injections. They booked into Manukau SuperClinic for my second steroid shot and scans to monitor baby’s fluid levels.”
Two and a half weeks later, after putting her other children to bed, Roxanne sat down to eat and instantly knew something was wrong.
She headed back to Middlemore Hospital and within ten minutes of arriving she was rushed to surgery for an emergency C-section.
That day, Mary-Jen, or MJ for short, was born three months premature, weighing 1.1kgs.
“The first time I got to see her was two hours after my C-section when they took me by wheelchair to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was surreal.
“Bubs and I spent two months in NICU followed by one and a half months at the Special Care Baby Unit.
“The staff there were amazing-really, really lovely and so supportive.”
For many woman, pregnancy and birth isn’t all rosy and pregnancy glows – and they may feel they missed out on those precious moments of childbirth.
“I’ve had normal births and not so normal,” explains Roxanne.
“I lost my third baby, Nova-May who only lived for an hour after being born at 25 weeks and four days.”
Roxanne has some advice for future parents who experience a birth or pregnancy that isn’t smooth sailing.
"Bonding is different when your baby is fighting for their life – but in the end – I think it’s stronger because of what you have been through together.
“Any parent out there that has to go to NICU with their premature baby – know that the staff there are amazing and will help you through.”
After the hospital stay, MJ finally arrived home, requiring oxygen for five to six weeks, but each day she continued to thrive and grow.
“She is beautiful, healthy and happy now and I’m so grateful,” says Roxanne.
This story features in our Connect+ Winter issue. You can read the full issue here:
https://issuu.com/communicationsmiddlemore/docs/connect_winter