A Tiny Fighter and a Big Hearted Team

The Little Miracles Trust walks beside families when life takes an unexpected turn. For Laura and Simon, their daughter Lottie’s early arrival brought fear, hope, and the kindness of strangers who became family.

Laura's journey through Waikato Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was one that she, and partner Simon, never expected, and will never forget.

Their precious daughter, Lottie Paige, was born 10 weeks early at 29 weeks and 6 days. Lottie arrived very quickly into the world due to a complication during Laura’s pregnancy resulting in placental abruption – a condition where the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. At just 3 lbs 3oz, she was so tiny but her worried parents were told she was a good size for her gestation.

Laura explains what happened in the months that followed: 

"Every day in that sterile, overwhelming room, we were reminded that even the smallest signs of progress were monumental, and we soon found some of our biggest cheerleaders were Trish and Jadey from The Little Miracles Trust. Trish’s warm motherly hugs would get me through some incredibly tough days and when she would come visit Lottie and I, we were always in for a laugh. I would find myself looking for her daily just for a catchup. 

Very early on, Jadey told me that being a NICU mum was "a club that no one wants to join", but that the Little Miracle Trust team were there to walk alongside us.

Jadey made all my emotions valid and knew exactly what to say in the moment, she really became my rock."

"Along with the outstanding specialised care Lottie received from the nurses and doctors, Trish and Jadey positively impacted our NICU journey and became like a second family to us. 

Lottie was discharged after almost 7 weeks in NICU and although there were still hurdles we had to overcome with her entering the world so early, we couldn’t be more in love with our brave little girl and grateful for all of the support we received."

The Little Miracles Trust is New Zealand's national neonatal charity – supporting the parents and whānau of premature or sick full-term babies throughout Aotearoa New Zealand as they make their journey through neonatal intensive care, the transition home, and onwards.

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Words and image supplied by The Little Miracles Trust