17/11/2025
Mum Erica gave birth to baby Jude earlier this year at Bedford Hospital.
“After our first baby’s birth at 41+ weeks, we never imagined we’d have an early arrival for our second. The pregnancy was uneventful in the most part, but during a trip to the cinema at 31+2 weeks, my waters broke and I ended up giving birth at 31+4 to baby boy Jude in June 2025, weighing 1.675kg.
“We were incredibly anxious about what the road after birth would look like, and with baited breath, anticipated a very rocky path ahead of us. At every step we were given updates on how our boy was being looked after, given continuous opportunities to be involved in the hands on care and, when needed, the nurses advocated for us. We felt that they cared for our son the way they’d have cared for their own. Not only did they care deeply for Jude, but they also looked after us every day too. The atmosphere and environment on the ward was like a second family, and even in the most challenging and worrying of times, we felt such warmth and positivity.
“Jude was incredibly fortunate to have a relatively simple and uncomplicated experience during the four and a bit weeks we called Meadowbank home - a few scares with a possible infection, but the main priority was to get him managing his own temperature and feeding well and gaining weight. The encouragement we got when I began to breastfeed was incredible and I truly believe it was what got us back home so quickly.
“Until you’re in the position of having a premature baby, you have no idea what to expect - but something we could never have anticipated was that it would be the best experience of care we’d ever receive. From the admin staff, cleaning staff, family support workers, counsellors, breast feeding support, nurses, matrons - the whole lot - were incredible.”
