Anastasia Pratt

Ayla

This November, I’ll be walking in support of premature babies.

My daughter Ayla was born at 35 weeks and 4 days. During her first three weeks of life, she was in and out of hospital after catching a couple of viruses that made it difficult for her to breathe and feed on her own.

On the 7th of October, I had to call an ambulance because Ayla was struggling to breathe. We were taken to hospital, and later that night things became even more frightening. She began having repeated episodes where she would stop breathing and turn purple, and needed her chest stimulated multiple times in a short period.

Ayla was placed on a CPAP machine to help her breathe something no parent ever expects to see their 3 week old to go through. Thankfully, she was transferred to Monash Children’s Hospital, where she received the best care and support.

Now, at nearly 7 weeks old, Ayla is doing amazingly well, and we are so grateful. Walking this November is my way of honouring her strength, and supporting other premature babies and families who face the same challenges.

This November I’m taking on the Premmie Marathon Challenge

I’ll be clocking up my kms in the Premmie Marathon Challenge to raise funds for life-saving neonatal equipment that will give critically ill and premature babies a better chance of survival.

I'd love your support - if you can, please make a generous tax-deductible donation here.

Thank you for your support.
Your donation will help keep me motivated as I complete my challenge through November, knowing that each km I complete is helping save the lives of sick and premature babies.

Fancy joining me? You can sign up for the Premmie Marathon Challenge too! Simply choose your challenge distance and start clocking your kms for premmie babies.