Rockingham General Hospital helps tiny humans thrive on World Prematurity Day
New mum Taylah Adams with her twins Amber and Sunny.
With one in ten babies born premature, the neonatal team at Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) have an essential role giving premature babies the helping hand to life they need.
Mum of five, Taylah Adams, can vouch for that after her twins, Amber and Sunny, were born via emergency c-section at 34 weeks, and needed resuscitation.
Both babies, who spent over two weeks in Neonatal unit at RGH, suffered from respiratory distress syndrome. They required continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) respiratory support and were nursed in incubators to maintain their temperatures.
“It was all really overwhelming in the beginning, the anxiety of not meeting my girls straight away, and not knowing how healthy they were, was really tough,” Taylah said.
However, the neonatal staff at RGH were with Taylah and her family every step of the way. Providing a calm environment, celebrating the milestones and educating Taylah and her family on how to care for the tiny twins.
“The staff at RGH patiently showed me how to bond with my girls despite everything that was happening.
“I thought I knew most things about birth and motherhood from my other children, but the staff at RGH taught me how to ensure my little babies became big babies.”
Amber and Sunny were able to come home earlier than expected and at the same time, starting their new life as a family of seven.
“They have put on over a kilogram each since birth and sleep around the clock!” Taylah said.
RGH Executive Director Kath Smith credited the work of the neonatal team tasked with providing around the clock care for premature babies.
“It is a privilege for our hospital to provide a safe and nurturing space for premature babies to thrive in, and to support their mums and families to thrive.”
