NNU Patient Stories – Alfie

“Alfie was born at 30+2 weeks after a placenta abruption, weighing just over 2lb.

His lung collapsed on his second day of life and it all got very scary. He then spent the next two weeks in Oxford JR intensive care on a ventilator before finally coming back to MKUH. After those dramatic first few weeks, he then spent the next 70 days or so in NNU, trying to learn to breathe independently and then get over his reflux issues.

Quite often it was two steps forward and one back and we often felt like we were making progress and then having a big setback again. It’s feels like a cliche but it really was a rollercoaster. The NNU staff were a massive source of comfort and support throughout the whole process.

He finally came home to his parents and big sister after almost three months of being in hospital. He was two weeks past his due date by then. The first few nights with him felt magical but scary, but we just had to take it all day by day.

Since then, he has been back and forth quite a bit – with bronchiolitis and other infections – but, generally, he is getting stronger all the time and is fast approaching his second birthday. He’s very noisy, very happy, and such a little character.

We are so proud of him and the battles he has overcome so far in his little life.”