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Nova’s Story
After a seemingly normal pregnancy, Nova Erin was brought into the world 10 days late and went on to spend 12 days being care for on Guernsey’s NICU
After a seemingly normal pregnancy, Nova Erin was brought into the world 10 days late and went on to spend 12 days being care for on Guernsey’s NICU
Savannah recalls the emotional and challenging experience of her newborn, Nova Erin, staying on Guernsey’s Special Care Unit for 12 days while she was a first-time mum:
I welcomed my daughter Nova Erin into the world in May 2018. Having had a reasonably normal pregnancy with no indications of any issues she actually arrived 10 days late at a whopping 8lbs 4oz, conveniently the day before I was due to be induced. The labour was rather difficult and quite traumatic, but I couldn’t fault the medical team I had around me, they were so supportive and got me through it all.
A few hours after leaving the labour room and going back onto Loveridge Ward, the midwives looked after my baby for a little bit so I could rest. It was during this time they had a few concerns and thought it was best to pop her over to the NICU where they would run some tests and keep an eye on her.
It was so frightening being a young first time mum going through what I just had to then the next time seeing my baby, she was in an incubator with all these wires and other things coming from her. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening, I had to process all sorts of new medical information which was very overwhelming. However no amount of questions I asked was too much – the nurses and doctors were very attentive and reassuring.
Nova underwent numerous blood works and various tests which included fluid taken from the brain and spine, as well as scans. She was on intravenous medication and was tube fed, and when her medical information was sent to the UK, it was discovered that she had meningitis. She also had a condition called ‘Laryngotracheomalacia’ (persistent stridor), Mild talipes & PFO on her echocardiogram*.
*Laryngotracheomalacia (persistent stridor): This means that the soft tissues of the voice box and windpipe are a bit floppy. Because of this, the airway can partially collapse when the baby breathes in, causing a noisy breathing sound called stridor (a high-pitched, squeaky noise).
*Mild talipes: This refers to a mild foot condition sometimes called clubfoot or turned-in feet. In mild cases, the feet might point slightly inwards or downwards.
*PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) on echocardiogram: This means there’s a tiny flap-like opening between the two upper chambers of the heart that didn’t close completely after birth.
It all went from being relatively fine to doing a complete 180. There were moments where she wasn’t responding to medication and we were unsure of what the outcome would be.
During this scary time the nurses and doctors were so calm, nothing was too much trouble and they treated her as if she was family. Nova was tube fed so I couldn’t give her a bottle but they used to come and get me when it was her feeding times even during the night/early hours of the morning so that I could be a part of it. When they had to shave her hair to be able to put a cannula in to give her medication they put it in a sample pot for me to keep – they were honestly just saints.
We spent a total of 12 days in the NICU before we were able to go home. During this time families on Loveridge Ward were coming and going which was quite hard to see. They moved me and gave me a room on Frossard Ward right opposite the NICU, so I could be closer to her. I received this gift box from the PPBF and inside it were the sweetest keepsakes. We still have it now and Nova knows them as “the gifts from the people who helped me”. I was so amazed by receiving this act of kindness because I didn’t even know they did such a thing or that this foundation even existed until that point. They are honestly so beautiful and things I will cherish with me forever.
Nova had a rocky first couple years of her life with continuous health problems and hospital visits/stays but here we are now 7 1/2 years later with the funniest and kindest little girl. She’s happy, healthy and full of life and I don’t think we’d be here today if it wasn’t for the outstanding care and kindness we received! We met so many wonderful families and received amazing support, sharing both similar and different experiences, but all of us felt the same love from the PPBF.
As well as our compassionate housing right next to Southampton Hospital, we raise funds to provide equipment and resources to help Guernsey’s Special Care Unit, including essentials, clothing, training aids and Baby Boxes for families. You can donate to help future families here.
