Stepping out to help other families with premature babies
When both Kelly Morris' daughters were born prematurely she was desperate for someone to help her understand why.
After going through the trauma of seeing little Abi arrive six weeks early she was desperate to carry her second daughter to full-term.
So when Bonnie was born at just 29 weeks it was Kelly and partner Lee Morton's worst nightmare.
All they could do was wait, watch and hope as both girls spent their first few weeks in a hospital incubator.
'I was told the likelihood of it happening twice was very low but I'd heard of people who'd had it twice and I thought: "I'm going to be one of those",' said Kelly, from Fareham.
'No one has ever been able to tell me why it happened again. I don't know if it was my fault, if I did something wrong, I've never got an answer to that.'
Thankfully Abi, now three, and Bonnie, 23 months, are happy and healthy but the trauma of their early arrival has stayed with their mum and dad.
And that's why the whole family will stride out on Sunday to raise money for research into premature births when they take part in Action Medical Research's Walk for Tiny Lives.
'We're very proud of our girls and very proud of what we've achieved,' added Kelly.
'It's not easy having a baby at the best of times but it's 10 times worse when they are early. There are times you think they'll never get better.
'That's why raising awareness and funds for research is so important.'
Kelly, 29, was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia during her first pregnancy and Abi was born six weeks early weighing just three lb six oz.
Bonnie was born 11 weeks early in September 2008, weighing two lb 5oz.
Both girls spent time in the neonatal intensive care unit at St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, and Bonnie later developed the lung infection bronchiolitis, a life-threatening condition which premature babies are especially susceptible to.
Both girls have recovered well and will take part in this weekend's three-mile walk starting from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard at 10am.
More than 50,000 babies are born prematurely every year in the UK. Action Medical Research funds research in to premature birth and also supports the search for new and better ways to care for sick babies. For more information or to register to take part in the walk visit walkfortinylives.org.uk
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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