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Lilly’s Story
Lilly was born early via emergency C-section and was quickly transferred to Portsmouth Hospital. She required breathing support both in the UK and on Guernsey’s Special Care Unit
Lilly was born early via emergency C-section and was quickly transferred to Portsmouth Hospital. She required breathing support both in the UK and on Guernsey’s Special Care Unit
Lilly Jane De La Mare was born to mum, Lisa, at 35 weeks, via emergency C-section. She was delivered in Guernsey, weighing 6lbs 10oz, in October 2023. She was then quickly flown over to Portsmouth due to complications and required breathing support which continued once she was transferred back to Guernsey’s Special Care Unit. Lisa has kindly shared her family’s story, reflecting on how she felt during this challenging time due to a great deal of uncertainty and having to leave Lucas, her young son.
Leading up to Lilly’s birth, I was to and from the hospital due to some complication. We had made a plan that I had to go every day for observation due to Lillys reduced movements. I went on Wednesday 11th October as normal and had my observations done, I went back to work and carried on my day as normal. I went to my mums to get my son around 3.15pm.
The midwife called me to say I needed to pack my bags and some bits for the baby and head to hospital. At his point had no idea what was happening, I just went numb and started crying, as I knew that the baby was too early to come. We got the hospital around 4pm and I was settled on the ward. The gynaecologist came in and said to us that I would be delivering my baby either today or tomorrow, my heart sank deep into my chest. I was absolutely petrified of having our baby premature due to the fear of the unknown.
I had my water broken on the 11th and laboured all night. On Thursday morning around 9 o’clock they decided I needed an emergency c-section to get the baby out. I went down to theatre and our baby girl was delivered at 10.37am. We got to see her for a split second then they rushed her off to the NICU, and we then waited hours and hours for an update. We finally met her at 2.30pm.
The doctor came in hours later and informed us that Lilly was stable but not in good way and she had no surfactant in her lungs. They suspected she had sepsis, and they told us that she was on oxygen to help her but unfortunately this was not enough to keep her oxygen levels up. The doctor told us that they would be sedating her and then intubating her, to help her to breathe. Before they did this, we were allowed to go in an see her. The doctor said due the sedation and being intubated, we would be transferred to Portsmouth Hospital as Guernsey Hospital couldn’t accommodate her needs.
At this point we got close family to come up and see her, as we had no idea what was going to happen. By the time the family got to the hospital, Lilly had been intubated and was waiting for the medical plane to fly her over to Portsmouth.
The Medical flight team arrived at the hospital around 8.45pm and came to see me and explain the process. I wasn’t able to go with her due to having major surgery, so she left the hospital around 10pm to make her journey to Portsmouth Hospital.
On Friday 13th October, Lilly arrived at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth. Billy and my mum flew over on the Friday and I followed later in the day. Lilly came on in leaps and bounds once she got settled in Portsmouth and she was extubated on the 15th October and went onto high flow. Late on the 16th she was put on low oxygen. On the 18th October she was moved from NICU intensive care unit to the standard NICU.
On Thursday 19th October after spending 1 week in Portsmouth, she was given the all clear to fly back to Guernsey’s NICU. This was the best news we had ever had, as being away from Lucas was the hardest thing we ever had to do.
Lilly spent another week and few days in Guernsey NICU on low oxygen and she was finally discharged from hospital on Saturday 28th October. Our little princess went through the most awful start in life which included two plane journeys, four ambulances, two hospitals, multiple tests and drips and many, many sleepless nights for mummy and daddy.
The Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation were absolutely incredible. We received a beautiful box for Lilly with all premature baby clothes and little gifts and I also received a care package. Jo was there for a chat if needed and offered to help in anyway she could.
Our trio of flats are located within 100 steps of the entrance to Southampton Hospital, for Guernsey families to use for free when their baby or child is poorly. However, if families are transferred to any other UK hospital – like Lisa – we will offer our support wherever possible. You can make donations to other aspects of the PPBF’s work here including Baby Boxes and neonatal equipment for Guernsey’s Hospital.
