Danika Liddle

My inspiration

I went into spontaneous labor the day after my baby shower and my son was born around 5 weeks premature. Nothing could have ever prepared me for what we were about to go through. 

We spent the first 5 days on the ward undergoing numerous tests and weigh ins and started his treatment for jaundice and focused on his weight gain. We were ecstatic to be sent home with support at the end of the week but a repeat blood test the very next morning after being sent home had showed a significant worsening in his condition. We were then admitted to the Special Care Nursery.

Our time in the special care nursery was the hardest thing I have ever been through. Seeing him in his humidicrib, not being able to hold him or pick him up to comfort him was heartbreaking. Our midwives/nurses were amazing and we are forever grateful for the care and support we received. 

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. The very same equipment used to help my little boy in his tough start to life.

Our little boy is now 8 months old and thriving.

This November I am joining the Premmie Marathon Challenge to run/walk 100km!

Every year in Australia 26,000 babies are born prematurely.

After I went into spontaneous labour my son was born around 5 weeks premature. Nothing could have ever prepared me for what we were about to go through. 

Our time in the special care nursery after his birth was the hardest thing I have ever been through. Seeing him in his humidicrib, not being able to hold him or pick him up to comfort him was heartbreaking. 

While this time was hard I think of the parents of babies born even earlier, those who had long NICU stays, those who are still there and those who never got to bring their little ones home.

Neonatal care is one of the most expensive parts of healthcare, caring for a premature baby can cost anywhere between $3,500 and $10,000 per day. 

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.

You can help either by joining the Premmie Marathon Challenge too (www.premmiemarathonchallenge.com), or making a tax-deductible donation here.

Your donation will help keep me motivated as I complete my ‘marathon’ through November, knowing that each km I complete is helping save the lives of sick and premature babies.