Theo’s Story

Theo’s Story

Theo was born at 3.08am on 9th August 2024 weighing just 800grams, at 29 weeks and 6 days. He went on to receive specialist care both in Southampton and on Guernsey’s Special Care Unit. His family spent a total 3 months in Southampton, 17 days in the hospital and 75 nights in Isaac’s Pad. Theo’s mum, Jay, shares their story here.

On 13th June 2024 I had my pregnancy confirmed by a nurse at Choices. I didn’t realise that I was already 20 weeks pregnant and was in shock. That day, I was referred to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital as my blood pressure was really high. There was also a high amount of protein in my urine, all signs of preeclampsia*

*Preeclampsia is a serious blood pressure condition that can occur during pregnancy or soon after childbirth, typically after the 20th week. It is characterized by new-onset high blood pressure and often involves high levels of protein in the urine or other signs of organ damage, such as kidney or liver problems. Symptoms can include severe headaches, vision changes, and swelling of the face, hands, or feet, and it can pose risks to both the mother and baby if not properly monitored and treated.

Because I was so far along my journey already, the specialists were concerned upon scanning me. I was admitted to hospital that day for 3 nights to be monitored and put on blood pressure tablets. I was continuously being monitored by visiting the hospital and the specialist every couple of days. From various scans, the specialist advised me that I would probably have to deliver early in Southampton, but they couldn’t tell me when. It also appeared that there was reduced blood flow within my placenta. At this point, baby wasn’t growing as it should, and it was dangerous. 

On 8th July I attended another specialist appointment where I had a further scan. The doctor was taking longer than usual to scan, which as a concern. He said that he needed to refer my scan to the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Southampton. As soon as he returned to my bedside, I knew that it wasn’t good news. Southampton wanted me over there to be monitored and to be seen by their foetal medicine team. 

I wasn’t ready for this, especially having to leave my 5-year-old son behind. I had to phone my husband and tell him to leave work, pack me a bag and quickly get to the hospital. I was so scared that I couldn’t stop crying. I had no idea that this would be the start of a 3-month journey. A couple of hours later I was medivaced to Bournemouth Airport and transferred by ambulance to the PAH. There, I was admitted onto their maternity ward at midnight after having lots of checks. 

The next day, we met with the neonatal team who were pretty much preparing us for the worst if we were to deliver 24 weeks. I cried and cried so much, I just didn’t know what to say, as everything was out of my control. I had to go with what the professionals were telling me. After 2.5 weeks of staying in a hospital room or on the ward, Isaac’s Pad became available, and I was lucky enough to move in there with my mum on 24^th July. 

The flat was perfect, a home-from-home. It was equipped with everything I needed and gave me my own space to relax in comfort. Mentally, I needed to get out of the hospital and into the flat ASAP. As soon as we moved into the flat, it felt like home. And, because it was only 100 steps away, it meant that I could still attend my 6am and 6pm monitoring on the ward and be close by if anything was to change.

 On 8th August, I had very reduced movements which meant an extra few hours being on the monitor. Later that night I was then being wheeled to the delivery ward to have extra monitoring. Following this, the specialist told me that I would need to deliver the baby tonight by emergency C-section, I needed to have another steroid injection to help with baby’s lungs and would need to be put on the magnesium sulphate drip. 

Theo was born at 3.08am on 9th August 2024 weighing just 800grams, at 29 weeks and 6 days, with my mum by my side. This was a special moment. I was able to have a quick hold before he was taken off me and put into the incubator where he was hooked up to lots of wires add tubes.

Once I was OK, I was then wheeled in my bed to see Theo in the neonatal unit where he was being cared for 24/7 by some amazing nurses. It was a strange feeling, and it felt like a dream. I never thought I would end up in a situation like this. The next day, Daddy and his big brother Albie flew over to meet Theo and were able to stay in the flat with us, which was a great feeling.

After 2 nights in hospital after my c-section, I was able to go back to Isaac’s Pad to recover and relax, and be right next door to Theo. This was the new norm for me. I was very lucky to have my mum with me 24/7 for the whole time. She looked after me so well. We treated the pad as our own. My husband and son came over a few times, but due to him being self-employed, he needed to be home and look after Albie.  

I couldn’t hold Theo again until 5 days later. I was then able to have kangaroo cuddles with him. The care in the PAH was incredible, always checking on me and always explaining everything clearly. It was the hardest time of my life. Every time we moved nursery was a step closer to the door. Sitting next to Theo’s bedside whilst he was linked up to machines all the time was heartbreaking, but I knew he was getting stronger by the day, and it was my job to be there. The nurses showed me how to do his care routine e.g. nappy changes and feeds etc. I had to be trained to feed him through an NG tube and be signed off. Once I knew that I was able to change him and feed him, this helped with bonding.  

The day we came home, 7th October, was the best feeling, especially after being let down a few times before. I never thought the day would come. I met some lovely mums on the ward who I am still friends with and we keep in regular contact. 

I celebrated my birthday whilst in the flat too. Some of my best friends came over to surprise me with a knock at the door. They were amazed by how lovely and homely the flat was. It was lovely to stay at the flat with them and have some quality time together. 

This is what a typical day in the flat looked like:  

– Wake up early to express milk 
– Have breakfast, shower then take milk to Theo and sit with him for a few hours
– Come back to flat for lunch and more expressing whilst sat on the sofa watching TV
– Back to hospital after lunch for a few hours 
– Back to flat to make a meal for tea
– Back to hospital for an hour before nurse change over and to say goodnight
– Back to flat to shower, relax and chill in the nice big bed before more expressing and sleep

Mum would wash dishes as we went, put a load of washing on every few days as we had to wash Theo’s bedding. We also ordered shopping online once a week.

When I first got taken over to Southampton, the PPBF kindly covered the cost for my mum and two sisters to travel so they could be with me at this difficult time. I appreciated this a lot. Jo was constantly checking in to see how we were and was always there when we needed something. The day we landed back in Guernsey felt like a relief. The Special Care Unit staff were all so lovely, and the unit felt like home. Theo could finally meet the rest of our family. He spent another month on the local unit. We received the loveliest Baby Box when we got in to the unit from the PPBF, full of things we needed and items that we will treasure.  

Theo came home on oxygen on 5th November. He remained on this for one month. He was doing so well that he was able to come off just before Christmas. At the time of writing (November 2025), Theo is now 14lbs and 15 months old, and wearing 3-6m clothes, so still a dinky dot, but I think he always will be. He is coming on leaps and bounds, and is very cheeky. 

I spent 3 months in Southampton, 17 days in the hospital and 75 nights in Isaac’s Pad. It has been a challenging year for us a family, and I’m not sure we could have got through it without the support of the charity. PPBF will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we will never forget what they did for us. Forever grateful and we will continue to support wherever we can. 

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. When you Buy-A-Night, you are helping to keep our doors open for more families like Jay’s. You can also make general donations to other aspects of the PPBF’s work here including Baby Boxes and neonatal equipment for Guernsey’s Hospital.