I Cannot Thank Every Single Nurse And Doctor Enough - Rachel’s Story Of Her Baby’s Premature Birth

Did you know that around 90,000 babies are born sick or premature every year in the UK? Each neonatal experience will affect families differently. Life on a neonatal unit can be challenging for parents in many ways, and the impact on their mental health is often felt for years after.

When Rachel gave birth to her son six weeks early, it was one of the hardest times of her life. Here Rachel shares their story, and how the care, support and dedication of staff Preston NICU helped her family through the experience.

Pregnacare is proud to support the services of Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick, and their families.

Here’s Rachel’s Story Of Alfie’s Premature Birth

Nothing ever prepares you for that first time you’ve to leave the hospital without your baby.

In July 2026, I gave birth naturally to our beautiful baby boy Alfie at Preston hospital, six weeks early, he needed breathing support so was instantly taken away into NICU.

I’ll Never Forget Those First Moments

I didn’t quite know how much it would hurt not having the golden hour when your baby is born and watching them take your baby away from you feels like they’re wheeling your whole heart away. It was utterly heartbreaking. You grieve the birth you imagined. You grieve them first perfect days. And the beginning of your new family life you thought you’d have.

I’ll never forget those first moments, hearing the monitors. The alarms. The first glimpse of your baby full of wires and incubated. Walking out of NICU for the first time without your baby is a feeling I just can’t quite find the words for.

The Medical Staff Were The Reason We Could Breathe A Little Easier

You show up. Day after day. Running on hardly any sleep. Scared what the next update will be. You show up exhausted, overwhelmed. You sit by their incubator when they should be in your arms. You watch your baby being fed through tubes when you’re desperate to feed them yourself. You pump milk for hours and hours. Carrying them little bottles from the car to the fridge. But I cannot thank every single nurse and doctor enough in Preston NICU who all became so much more than just nurses.

Each nurse will never fully understand what they mean to a NICU family. They were there on days we cried. Answered the millions of questions we had daily. Celebrated every milestone, no matter how big or small. And most importantly cared and loved our babies when we had to walk out of hospital without them. To us, they will always be a part of our story. They’re the reason we could breathe a little easier when we came home without him that he was receiving nothing short of the very best care.

Our Boy Is Thriving Now And We’re So Grateful

To every NICU Nurse who cared for and looked after our Alfie, and helped me through what has been one of the hardest times I’ve had to go through, every reassuring conversation, every hug, every chat, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

Although your baby comes home okay, and you’re incredibly grateful, you still hurt over what happened and what you had to go through to get them home. But everyone at Preston NICU and the families we made friends with just made it that little bit easier day by day.

Our boy is absolutely thriving now and we’re so grateful for Preston NICU and the nurses and doctors who are nothing short of miracle workers.

Help And Support Is Available For Those Affected By Premature Birth

The trained volunteers at Bliss are on hand to help you and are there to support families whose little ones need neonatal care, no matter the reason for their stay, or how long they are there for.

Support can be given in person or remotely, via the Bliss email and virtual support services. Please get in touch at hello@bliss.org.uk for support and information via email or video call. More information is available via the Bliss website.