Sidney’s Story

Early Pregnancy Worries

Our beautiful boy, Sidney, made his entrance into the world far earlier than expected at just 26 weeks and 3 days. 

The weeks leading up to labour were filled with unease. At 20 weeks, while I was away in Cumbria, I had a heavy bleed and was blue-lighted to the local hospital. I had experienced some light spotting in the earlier weeks of pregnancy, but never this, nor did I ever experience this in my first pregnancy. 

Being far away from home made it even scarier for all of us. I was told Sidney was fine - the biggest relief - though it could be a haematoma. Hearing this did not really sink in until I got back and started researching. I was extremely anxious for days leading up to my scan, constantly worrying what this might mean for us.

It was the day of my scan. While we sat there staring at the screen, watching the sonographer’s facial expressions and over-analysing everything, she smiled and said our baby was growing nicely, and all she saw looked reassuring. 

For a minute, I allowed myself to just be in the moment, full of contentment. My mindset shifted. I started planning my baby shower and enjoyed my pregnancy after this. 

Just over a month later, life took an unexpected turn. The first signs of labour hit, and our world turned upside down. That morning, I had taken myself to Poole for spotting and reduced movement. I was monitored and then sent home. I was told everything was fine and that Sidney had moved into a ball and was comfortable. 

Little did we know that was him moving around, getting into position for labour. That evening, the cramps began, and they were only getting worse. I phoned the maternity helpline and they told me to come in straight away as I could be in preterm labour. My heart sank. I was in complete disbelief. How could I be in labour? Everything was fine that same morning.

I completely broke down and had no time to grab anything other than my keys. I drove myself to the hospital, and then everything happened so fast. I was in full-blown labour, contractions coming hard with no breaks. I was told I couldn’t give birth in Poole as Sidney’s gestation was too early. 

The Southampton & Oxford Neonatal Transfer Service (SONet)  were on its way to transfer us. But Sidney had other plans. Moments after being told this, I felt the urge to push. I was wheeled into a side room with three nurses waiting. With no hanging around for his dad on the next contraction, Sidney was here, and so were ten other people. 

Over and over, I asked if he was okay. The room was in complete silence for what felt like hours. Finally, I heard him. It wasn’t a cry, but it was enough for me to know he was fighting! Sidney was resuscitated and intubated. I was able to kiss him, and then he was whisked upstairs to ITU. 

Moments later, I was able to see him. I felt completely numb at this point. I said goodbye as he was being transferred to Southampton’s Neonatal Unit. 

Sitting in the room without my baby was an indescribable pain. A pain no mother should have to face. It was so surreal, like I had not just given birth, but instead I had to switch into survival mode and get to him as quickly as I could.

First Moments in NICU

When we arrived at Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton, we were greeted by the most amazing nurse who was caring for Sidney. Her calm and kindness offered small comfort in the midst of the extreme fear I was faced with.

The room was dark, full of monitors beeping, tiny little babies each fighting to be in this world. Seeing Sidney properly for the first time, my heart filled with so much love, along with guilt and sadness. 

Tubes and monitors surrounded him. I felt so desperate to protect him. All I kept thinking was that I did this, my body let him down. The guilt weighed heavily on me, but I knew deep down it was not my fault.

That night, I was able to hold Sidney for the first time. It was the most beautiful moment. Amongst the chaos and the pain, it felt worth it just to have him in my arms.

Early Battles

Just as I was starting to feel a glimmer of hope, life took another devastating turn for us all as a family. Sidney, at just one week old, had a perforation in his bowel and as a result developed severe NEC (necrotising enterocolitis). NEC is a life threatening bowel condition where the intestines become inflamed and start to die. We were told he would undergo emergency surgery, and the room he was in would be turned into a theatre as Sidney was too unwell to travel to the general.

We were seated by the surgical team in the room a few doors down from ITU, signing papers and agreeing to surgery and the huge risks it came with. We knew our son might not make it. We spoke about the possibility of Sidney not making this surgery and if he was to pull through the complications that follow after a major surgery with a baby so tiny and ill. We were told we could kiss him, which felt like a goodbye. Seeing him lying there completely still, so small and fragile, nothing in this world could describe the pain I felt knowing there was nothing I could do to help him. 

My partner and I sat in silence, just holding each other, praying that when what felt like hell was over, it would be good news, and it was! After the operation, Sidney now had a stoma, which he would need until he was strong enough for another operation for stoma closure. He coped incredibly well in theatre and was left with enough healthy bowel to be able to eat and drink normally in the future. All I could think of was how this tiny bag on his stomach had saved his life. It became such a big part of him, and of us. We cared for Sidney’s stoma every single day until his closure. Though it was scary at first, every small thing we did felt like a lifeline, a way to be there for him when he needed us the most.

Continued Challenges

Sidney’s journey was far from easy. Every step seemed to come with a new battle. I became more aware of the setbacks we often had to face, how quickly things could change in minutes and the rollercoaster we were living. 

Sidney was healing well from surgery, and after a few weeks, he eventually moved to room two, and things were becoming steadier. Then again, we were struck by more devastating news. At just four weeks old, Sidney developed Sepsis. He was extremely unwell; you could see it take over his body. He rapidly developed fluid on the lungs and was rushed into ITU again. 

I thought this was it. We are going to lose him. How can his body possibly take on any more? He had already been through so much at this point; my hope was failing me. 

After the fast, incredible care from the neonatal team and his continuous strength, within 48 hours, Sidney went from being completely still, pale and cold to kicking his legs and pulling out his NG tube. Again, our boy was a warrior. He never stopped trying. He never stopped fighting to be here.

Navigating all of this whilst trying to be a mum to my seven-year-old daughter at the time was heartbreaking. Every night, I would lie awake feeling like I was failing them both, unable to properly be there for either of them.

Sidney faced many challenges even after the absolute worst. He had two brain bleeds, chronic lungs, over ten blood transfusions, ROP, and heart murmurs. The amount of medication he had to have on his journey was unimaginable.

Milestones and Homecoming

At 38 weeks, Sidney had his second and last operation, where his stoma was closed successfully. He only made us wait two days for a bowel movement, and when he did, what a celebration that was! His bowels were working. 

Sidney made huge improvements from his closure surgery. He came off ventilation, gradually gained weight quickly and became stronger, showing us his incredible resilience. Seeing him at last, just as he was, I would stare at his face for hours, at all his little features. Slowly, we started to see the light after so many dark days.

After a long 89 days in NICU, we finally brought Sidney home, spending the last five days in Poole Hospital so he and we could become familiar with the nurses. Then on Christmas Eve, six days before Sidney’s due date, we came home and celebrated our first Christmas together as a family of four, a dream come true.

Gratitude and Reflection

We will forever be grateful to everyone who played a vital part in saving our boy, the doctors, nurses, medical teams, family support and psychology team, all who supported us every single step of the way. Their care, compassion and guidance gave us hope in the hardest moments and helped us hold on when it all felt impossible.

Sidney’s courage and resilience have been nothing short of extraordinary, and every day with him reminds us how precious and fragile life truly is.

Giving Back

On Sunday, May 17th 2026, I’ll be running the Hackney Half Marathon for Ickle Pickles charity in honour of Sidney and the amazing care he received. If you are able to, please consider supporting my fundraiser below. It would mean the world to us. 

Your donation, no matter the size, will help provide life-saving equipment and comfort for families who find themselves on the same path we once walked.

Now that Sidney is a very smiley, thriving little boy, I feel ready to share his story in the hope it can bring comfort and strength to another family walking a similar path. 

Together, we can help give every baby the best possible start in life.

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