Special Christmas delivery
Christmas came early for one young British couple in the form of the unexpected arrival of their baby daughter, 10 weeks ahead of schedule and over 200 miles from home.
Christmas came early for one young British couple in the form of the unexpected arrival of their baby daughter, 10 weeks ahead of schedule and over 200 miles from home. Weighing 1.4 kg (3 lb 3 oz), the baby was judged too fragile to travel such a distance by road, so Lucy Air Ambulance for Children (LAAC) was called to assist.
Expectant parents Naomi and Pete had travelled from their home in Dorset to Manchester on 14 November to indulge in some shopping and attend a UNICEF charity football match at Old Trafford, which had been organised by David Beckham. Naomi had been experiencing a normal healthy pregnancy and with 10 weeks to go, this was going to be their last ‘treat’ weekend away. However, after arriving in Manchester, Naomi’s waters broke and the couple headed to St Mary’s Hospital. At 03:50 hrs on 16 November, baby Mollie arrived and was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit, while the new parents were offered a room at the Ronald McDonald accommodation unit.
A week later, as Mollie grew stronger, discussions began on how to get her home to Dorset. Naomi said: “Thankfully the transfer was organised and fully funded by the wonderful Lucy Air Ambulance for Children charity. The relief to hear that we were going home was immense. Although the care we received from every single member of staff was amazing, to be able to be moved to a hospital closer to home and to be in familiar surroundings meant so much to us all , especially knowing that Christmas was around the corner.”
The transfer day arrived and due to respiratory complications associated with a premature birth (periodic breathing), the baby girl required continuous monitoring during the flight. She was transferred in an incubator onboard an Air Medical Lrd (AirMed) Learjet 35 plane with a specialist neonatal aeromedical transfer team and taken to Dorchester hospital. LAA noted that being closer to home meant that both Mollie and her parents could get support from family and friends, helping them through a difficult time.
“A big thank you to Lucy Air Ambulance for Children for bringing our special little daughter home,” said Naomi. “Until you are affected by such an issue you don't realise that these charitable services are out there and what a crucial and fantastic job they all do.”
The Lucy Air Ambulance for Children charity works with the National Health Service and air ambulance operators to provide optimal care in circumstances when a child or baby would benefit from the option of hospital transfer by air instead of road.