By Abbey Cannan
A Noosa mother whose premature baby was saved by vital neonatal equipment is encouraging the community to join a virtual running challenge to raise funds.
Queensland ambassador for Running for Premature Babies Amanda Stevens said she wasn’t aware of the charity until her son Oliver was born at 31 weeks.
“I guess you just assume that these units have the most up to date equipment, and the fact is that they don’t as they are quite restricted by funding,“ Amanda said.
Running for Premature Babies was set up in 2007 by Sophie Smith after she and her late husband Ash lost their first-born triplet sons, Henry, Jasper and Evan, following an extremely premature birth at 24 weeks.
Since then, thousands of people have run for the cause, raising more than $4 million for lifesaving neonatal equipment and research giving thousands of premature babies a better chance of survival.
“It wasn’t long ago that they wouldn’t even attempt to resuscitate a baby at 23 weeks and now they’re saving babies at 22 weeks,“ Amanda said.
“There’s babies that are born at under 500 grams now that they’re able to save and nurture into a normal child with no health issues.
“So, it really is extraordinary what this equipment can do.“
Amanda said she had a special pregnancy with her son Oliver after undergoing years of IVF.
“After early complications I had a great pregnancy and felt really good until all of a sudden my waters broke at 29 weeks,“ she said.
“I was rushed down to the Royal Brisbane and they said we would probably have him that day. But I was on bed rest for two weeks and it just became a waiting game, as every day makes such a huge difference.
“He was born in an emergency C-section at 31 weeks which was very scary as he ended up coming really quickly and was in a bit of trouble.
“When I woke up I had no idea if he was alive or if they were able to resuscitate him. I couldn’t see him for a couple of days which was just heartbreaking.
“Although you know he’s going to be tiny and he’s not going to look like a normal baby, I don’t think anything prepares you for that first moment that you go into that ward where he’s just on a respirator and not much bigger than a Coke can.
“It’s a really frightening experience seeing all the machines keeping him alive.
“We had a couple of really touch and go moments with him because at that age they’re so susceptible to infection and their lungs aren’t fully developed, so they need assistance with breathing and feeding.
“You just sort of go into this other world of eight week bedside vigil of just taking one day at a time and hoping and praying that he pulls through.
“You realise that those neonatal intensive care units have not only been incredibly transformed through medicine and technology but that the people that work in those units are just amazing.“
Amanda recently launched the Premmie Marathon Challenge in Noosa at Fernwood Fitness Noosa, who are supporting the cause.
Challenge yourself to get out and run (or walk) a 42km marathon or 100km ultramarathon in a day, a week, or a month this November and give premature babies a better chance of survival.
“November is premature babies month. There are over 26,000 babies born prematurely in Australia every year, with over 6000 from South East Queensland,“ Amanda said.
“I’m such a passionate ambassador for this charity as 100 per cent of donations goes directly to lifesaving equipment and research.“
People can support the running challenge by donating or registering (as an individual or joining a team) at premmiemarathonchallenge.com
