Premature babies who met on NICU are best friends forever
After spending the first 50 days of their lives together on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), premature babies Ivy-Rae Hawkins and Isla-Rose Cane have become best friends for life.
Ivy and Isla were both born at 27 weeks and had lengthy stays on the unit at our Women’s Hospital.
And so strong is their bond the girls celebrated their third birthday with a joint party. Not only that during their early days on NICU, their mums Emma Coyne and Poppy Hawkins even bought them matching outfits.
Emma recalled how their friendship started: “One day it was just us with the girls and we decided to go get some fresh air. We got talking and it just went from there.
“We started looking out for each other. Having a friend on the unit is what helped get us through some of the tough days.”
Poppy, from Bournville, gave birth to Ivy-Rae after she experienced bleeding at 27 weeks pregnant.
She said: “I was being monitored on the ward, but the bleeding suddenly got worse and they could no longer hear a heartbeat.”
Medics acted quickly and Ivy-Rae was born within an hour, weighing just 2lbs.
“She was rushed straight to the Neonatal Unit and on the fourth day she moved rooms and we met Emma and Isla.”
Emma, from Oldbury, added: “Isla was also born at 2lb and was rushed to the NICU. She stayed in hospital for 94 days until she was strong enough to come home.”
Poppy added: “It was nice having someone else there knowing and understanding what you’re going through. Nothing compares to actually going through it.
“We got into the same routine on the NICU and even got the girls matching outfits a few times.”
Emma added: “When we went home, we just knew the girls needed to be in each other's lives because of what they’ve been through together.”
Once home, the two families started meeting up regularly and have since enjoyed plenty of days out.
Poppy said: “The first time we met up it felt so natural.
“They shared Isla’s pram and instantly grabbed each other’s hands. It was like they felt safe together after being neareach other for so long.”
Emma added: “It’s like they’re sisters. They’re so close and when they see each other it’s like no time has passed at all.
“It was a really difficult start to both of their lives in the NICU, but we’re both so glad at least some good has come out of it and not only are they friends but Poppy and I are too.”