In May 2023, Robert and Olivia’s lives were forever changed when they discovered they were expecting their first child. What should have been a time of excitement and joy quickly became a journey filled with uncertainty as they learned of the complications that would shape their pregnancy.
Olivia had a septate uterus and was at high risk for pre-eclampsia. This meant their baby’s birth was expected to be premature, but they could never have anticipated the full extent of the challenges they would face.
As the pregnancy progressed, more complications emerged. Their baby was measuring smaller than average, and doctors were concerned about a possible heart defect—a ventricular septal defect (VSD). To make matters more complicated, Olivia’s cervix was shortened, and the umbilical cord only had two vessels instead of the usual three.
On top of everything else, their baby remained in a breech position until 30 weeks. This set the stage for a high-risk pregnancy, and from the beginning, Robert and Olivia were prepared for the reality that their journey would be filled with difficult decisions and emotional rollercoasters.
In December 2023, Olivia’s condition worsened. She was admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure and was soon diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Robert was working long 12-hour shifts at the time, and the stress of managing his work, the long drives from Kapiti to the hospital, and the emotional strain on Olivia was overwhelming. Olivia missed having him by her side, and Robert felt helpless, knowing that his presence was needed, but circumstances kept pulling him in different directions.
By January, the monitoring and daily blood tests became more frequent, and both Olivia and Robert felt the tension rising. They both sensed that the time for a C-section or induction was getting closer. It was a gut feeling that they couldn’t ignore.
On January 9th, 2024, their fears became a reality when they were told an emergency C-section was necessary for the safety of both Olivia and the baby. In just four hours, their son, Silas, was born at 31 weeks and 6 days, weighing just 1510 grams, a tiny, fragile newborn who had yet to face the world outside the womb.
Silas was immediately rushed to the Wellington NICU, where he began his fight for survival. Olivia remained in the hospital until January 15th, and during that time, Robert continued to make the long, exhausting trips between Kapiti and Wellington.
Olivia, determined to breastfeed, struggled to express milk, and Silas was fed formula and donor milk during his stay in NICU. Silas faced immediate challenges with breathing problems and spent a week on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) to support his lungs. He also spent three days under blue light therapy for jaundice, and after that, his main challenge became slow weight gain and the need for a feeding tube.
The stress of the situation took its toll on Robert. Despite originally planning to take leave around Silas’s due date in March, Robert knew he needed to be more present for Olivia and Silas. By February 11th, he had arranged extra time off from work to focus on his family.
The support they received from the NICU nurses and other families was a beacon of light during this difficult time. The conversations with other parents, the kindness of the staff, and the reassurance they received helped them through many tough days.
As the weeks passed, Robert returned to work in April, while Olivia stayed on parental leave until August. Silas’s first year was filled with slow, steady progress. He slowly caught up on the growth charts for his corrected age, and Robert and Olivia learned to celebrate each milestone, no matter how small.
They constantly reminded themselves that Silas was on his own journey, and that he would reach each milestone in his own time. Despite the difficulties, Silas continued to thrive, growing into a healthy boy who is now within the average weight and height range for his age.
Reflecting on their experience, Robert and Olivia are filled with gratitude for the care they received at the Wellington NICU. The team’s dedication and support were invaluable, and it was especially heartwarming for them to return to the NICU in March this year to reconnect with the staff who had played such a pivotal role in Silas’s recovery. They are eternally grateful for the care and kindness that helped their son survive and thrive.
For Robert and Olivia, the journey to parenthood was nothing like they had imagined. It was filled with unexpected challenges, moments of fear, and uncertainty. But it was also filled with love, support, and the strength of their family. Their son, Silas, is a testament to the power of resilience, and every day they are reminded of the miracle that brought him into their lives.