The Coombe Hospital, Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Dolphin's Barn Street, Dublin 8, Crumlin (2025)

21/11/2025

"Beth and Sally were born on the 9th of August 2024 at just 27 weeks — Beth weighing 644 grams and Sally 924 grams. They were so tiny they could fit in the palm of your hand. I had been in hospital for two weeks before they arrived. Beth’s cord was showing reverse flow, and the doctors did everything they could to delay delivery. But on the morning of the 9th, the girls made their entrance via emergency C-section. Little did we know, our journey was only just beginning. In those first few weeks, the girls faced big challenges — gaining weight and giving their little lungs time to grow strong enough to come off CPAP. Thankfully, they had no major complications, just lots of courage and determination. Sally came home first, on the 8th of October, with no complications. Beth followed on the 8th of November, still on home oxygen — which she came off in February. The hardest part of our journey was taking one baby home while the other had to stay behind. But since both girls have come home, there’s been no looking back. They’re thriving, growing, and filling our hearts with joy every single day. Looking back, it once felt like we’d never reach this stage — having them both home and healthy. But we learned to trust the process. It’s scary and uncertain at times, but it’s so worth it in the end. We’ll forever be grateful to all the incredible staff in The Coombe Hospital for helping our tiny miracles grow into the strong, beautiful girls they are today."

Nicole - proud Mum of Beth & Sally

21/11/2025

"Our daughter Luna was born in June 2024 at 30 weeks gestation due to severe preeclampsia. She arrived via emergency c-section and despite being 10 weeks early she came out kicking and screaming, showing off just what a fighter she was and still is. Seeing her wheeled off in her incubator without getting the chance to hold her or even really see her was one of the hardest things her dad and I have ever had to do, however we knew how necessary this was because of the clear information we had received from the NICU team who supported us greatly that day, and for the rest of the 6 weeks Luna spent in hospital. Luna’s dad and grandparents visited her in the NICU shortly after she was born and I finally got to meet her that night. Walking into the NICU is a terrifying and overwhelming experience that nobody can ever feel fully prepared for, however once again we were supported by the staff there, who even took our first photos with Luna, standing beside her incubator. From the moment we lay our eyes on Luna we were totally and utterly besotted with her.
A few days after Luna was born was my 30th birthday and also the day I was discharged. The NICU nurses arranged for me to hold Luna for the very first time that day and took some more photos to make me a birthday card with them on it. Leaving the hospital without your baby is more difficult than words can say. Getting to hold Luna and being given a card with our photos on it made a really tough day very special. Her dad got to hold her for the first time a couple of days later. Holding a tiny 2lb 10oz baby who is hooked up to machines with wires attached to what seems like every surface of their body is no easy feat but from that day on the NICU staff always encouraged us to do so, even though it took two of them to set it up!
As time went on, Luna went from strength to strength. She was moved from the NICU to HDU and eventually SCBU. The staff in each of these were nothing short of superheroes. The six weeks Luna spent in the NICU were the most worrying, terrifying and traumatising weeks of our lives however the staff of The Coombe made it that bit easier. They involved us in Luna’s care as much as possible, they lifted us up with reassuring words, they were only a phone call away when we’d pop home and they always went the extra mile when it came to making special moments and memories for us, such as Luna’s first bath. They taught us so much and we will be forever grateful for them.
Luna was eventually discharged on the 31st of July 2024. It was the happiest day of our lives. She has continued to thrive at home with help and support from the team in the Baby Clinic.
She celebrated her first birthday in June surrounded by her family and friends who adore her. She was the life and soul of the party as always. She is a funny, affectionate and clever 15 month old now who adores her family, friends, animals, swimming, playing with her toys, books and so much more. She is a chatterbox who has eight words, loves to babble and has an infectious laugh. She has recently started walking. She is the absolute light of our lives and our precious miracle. She has taught us and continues to teach us every day that anything is possible and life is for living. We are so proud of her."

Nicola - proud Mum of Luna

20/11/2025

"Poppy was born at 31 weeks in October 2021 via emergency C-section. Because I had a history of pre-term birth, I was closely monitored during pregnancy with extra scans and appointments. Poppy was born weighing 1.54 kg (3 lbs 6 oz). I got a quick cuddle and then she was taken straight to the NICU. Poppy spent just over four weeks in the NICU. She was tube-fed for quite a while as it took time for her to start bottle feeding. She was also on CPAP to help with her breathing, which was gradually reduced as she got stronger. She had several brain scans to make sure everything was healthy and that there were no bleeds. Two days after she was born, I got to do kangaroo care and hold her for the first time. It was absolutely magical. She was so tiny and still hooked up to machines and wearing her CPAP mask so we couldn’t fully see her face. When Poppy was 10 days old, we got to dress her in a little 4lb preemie vest - her first time wearing anything other than a nappy! We were so proud of how far she’d come. She began bottle feeding at 16 days old, switching between tube and bottle every other feed to give her a rest. The nurse told us that learning to suck, swallow, and breathe all at once is a big job for a premature baby. She eventually moved out of the incubator and into a heated cot called a hot cot, which keeps preemie babies warm. She got to wear her first baby-grow and she had her very first bath, which she absolutely loved.Towards the end of her NICU stay, we did our “sleepover” in the Coombe. Brian and I stayed in a room with her to build our confidence before going home. The nurses were right outside if we needed them and they had been so helpful during our stint in the NICU. Finally, on Saturday, the 20th of November, we brought our little girl home. She had a few follow-up appointments at the baby clinic, but she exceeded everyone’s expectations and was officially discharged when she turned two in 2023. Now, as she gets ready to turn four this October, I do forget just how tough her start in life was and how much she has overcome. When I show her pictures of her in the NICU, she can hardly believe that tiny baby was her! She’s thriving in her Naoínra and getting ready to start at the Gaelscoil next September. She’s also the most loving big sister to her little brother, Sonny - we couldn’t be prouder of her."

Nathalie - proud Mum of Poppy

20/11/2025

"Baby Béibhinn entered the world unexpectedly at 23+6 weeks weighing 555grams, far from the “normal” pregnancy one imagined, especially being a first time parent. From the outset she has shown everyone around her what determination, courage, resilience and perseverance really is. Any ICU is daunting in its own right, but being wheeled into the NICU to see your baby for first time was extremely overwhelming. I really struggled with it in those first few days/weeks - overcome with so many emotions, thoughts and an overall feeling of helplessness watching your baby wired to the moon in an incubator. It was all very alienating, but at the same time you become very accustomed to your surroundings. Your life now consists of incubators, intubation x4 times, blood transfusions, endless antibiotics, cpap masks, brain scans, echos, lumbar puncture, oxygen desaturations, eye tests, sleeps studies, feeding tubes - the list could go on. In those early weeks for every small high, a low was never too far away. We spent 63 days in room 12 , Béibhinn never moved an inch - in that time we made so many friends with parents in the same situation, it was so comforting - only they all seemed to move quickly or even go home and then you start to wonder when is it going to be our turn? Those bittersweet moments that crept in every now and then. Moving to HDU after weeks was a huge win. In total Béibhinn spent 153 days in hospital. It wasn’t an easy journey but since coming home she continues to grow from strength to strength, she brings so much joy not to just to us but to everyone around her and those who meet her in the community. Even though she is our little warrior and hero the real heroes of this are the amazing staff at the coombe hospital. They absolutely wrapped us in cotton wool from day one and we will never be able to thank each and every one to them enough. Their work ethic, professionalism and sheer dedication is outstanding. From the bottom of our hearts thank you. For anyone going through it right now - you’re stronger and braver than you think. Your time will come it might not feel it or look it but trust me it will."

Noreen - proud Mum of Béibhinn

20/11/2025

"Meabh was born at 30 weeks weighing 1.25kg. Her identical twin sister Sorcha was born sleeping. I was diagnosed with TTTS (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome) earlier in the pregnancy, leading to laser ablation. Unfortunately Socha's heart stopped beating at 21 weeks, 2 weeks after the surgery. My waters broke at 29 weeks and after a few nights' stay in The Coombe, an emergency c-section was deemed necessary to avoid both myself and Meabh contracting infections. From the second Meabh was born the staff were calm and in complete control. And that continued to be the case for the month Meabh stayed in NICU. Control, expertise, and great love and care will be my lasting memories. The team were relentlessly positive and provided us with great reassurance and support. Today Meabh is thriving. Despite multiple hospital admissions and A&E visits during the ages of 2-3, she no longer requires an inhaler. She is showing no sign of any long term health issues. Amazingly, she has never missed a day of school - she is now in Senior Infants. She is a big sister to Caoimhe and loves to draw, sing and dance."

Mairead - proud Mum of Meabh

19/11/2025

"Our little superhero Lily was born in July 2021 in The Coombe Hospital. She was born at 23 weeks and 6 days gestation via emergency c section. She weighed 1lb 4oz/570g and spent 119 days in total in NICU. She was on oxygen support until 38 weeks, had chronic lung disease, seven blood transfusions and retinopathy of prematurity in her eyes - which resolved itself eventually. She is 4 now and full of fun and mischief - she makes us smile every single day. We will be forever and ever grateful to the team in The Coombe Hospital who took the most amazing care of both Lily and us."

Brid & Ian - proud Mum & Dad of Lily

19/11/2025

"Noah and Georgia were born at 35+6 weeks gestation. Both requiring CPAP and NICU care - Georgia was in NICU for 7 days and Noah 9 days.
The care and dedication the NICU team give to the babies and parents is phenomenal and to them we owe everything."

Alice - proud Mum of Noah & Georgia ❤️

19/11/2025

"My official due date was 30th April, but due to a diagnosis of placenta percreta, a caesarean section was planned for 16th March. Due to complications of my placenta percreta, Eliza was born on 10th March 2020 at 32+6, weighing 1.98kg. After her birth, she was sent straight to the NICU where she was put on a c-pap machine to help with her breathing. Thankfully, she thrived quite quickly and was moved into SCBU where she was still monitored closely. She was tube fed for over 2 weeks and finally hit her milestones for release on the 27th of March after 17 days. The dedication of all the staff involved in the both the NICU and SCBU is amazing. As a mom, having to leave the hospital without my baby was beyond difficult. But knowing the safe hands Eliza was in made a very difficult situation easier. Eliza has continued to thrive, starting school last year. She is now in Naíonáin Mhóra (senior infants) and continues to amaze me with how far she has come since her birth."

Suzanne - proud Mum of Eliza

18/11/2025

"My son Senán was born in The Coombe in September 2021. I was only 25 weeks and had to be transferred from my home in Donegal to Dublin. Senán was delivered via emergency section due to severe pre-eclampsia. I was terrified, but there was no time to wait. The team in The Coombe are responsible for not only giving me my son but also making sure I am still here to talk about my experience. Senán was only 1lb at birth and had alot of challenges, but he also made us laugh. The NICU nurses made me feel so at ease and explained everything as it can be a scary experience. The whole team rallied around Senán and I. Senán had alot of health problems and the team took incredible care of him. My boy was a character, and he always kept us on our toes. The Coombe, the NICU nurses and doctors, the social workers and everyone else I met did everything they could for me. There's nothing worse than doctors telling you there was nothing more they could do to try and help him. Unfortunately my son passed away after an incredible fight. I will never stop celebrating his life because I got time I was never promised with him being so premature.

I was very lucky to have a second pregnancy and my daughter was born in The Coombe also. They monitored my pregnancy and got me through the worst parts. The team again were there every step of the way and tried to keep me calm even when going for another early caserean section. Muireann entered the world as another preemie at 36 weeks and only 5lbs. Now she's a fantastic 3 year old toddler. I'm the proud mummy of 2 preemie babies born in the Coombe. Their knowledge and support are what got me through the worst day and the best ones too."

Amanda - proud Mum of Senán & Muireann

18/11/2025

"I was admitted on 26th June 2020 in active labour and delivered my daughter through natural birth on 28th June. Callie was born 8 weeks early at 31 weeks gestation, and weighing only 4lbs 15oz. Covid-19 was a very difficult time for all couples during pregnancy, but The Coombe Hospital and staff went above and beyond to make our experience feel as normal as possible and for every moment to be memorable. Due to Covid, we had to visit Callie in the NICU at separate times which was very difficult, but for every single moment of Callie’s stay in the unit, we were made feel comfortable and reassured that our daughter was in the very best of care with the wonderful nurses when we had to leave her each night. Callie fought every single day of her 3 week stay in hospital and has been doing absolutely outstanding ever since! From the moment we were admitted to the time we got discharged, all the staff, midwives, nurses and doctors of The Coombe Hospital made our experience truly amazing! They are all earth angels, we cannot thank them enough."

Leanne - proud Mum of Callie

18/11/2025

“My identical twins were born in June 2024. No rhyme or reason for an early arrival but my waters went and they were going to make their entrance! They were quite small, as to be expected at 30 weeks. Fiadh was 1.3kg and Evie 1.45kg but they were little fighters! The whole team at The Coombe from the doctors, to the nurses, to the household staff were amazing, and looked after me and my girls so well. Both girls are hitting their milestones – walking and talking - and it’s all down to how well they were cared for those first few weeks.”

Eden - proud Mum of Fiadh and Evie

17/11/2025

"My twin boys were born 6 weeks early on 4th October 2024 - Tomás & Daithí, weighing 1.6kg and 1.9kg. They arrived quickly and were whisked away to the High Dependency Unit straight after birth so dad got a quick glance but I didn't get to see them until hours later. It was quite a blur. We only got to hold them for the first time a couple of days later. They needed some breathing help due to their lungs being underdeveloped so one moved to NICU first and then his brother followed too, not wanting to be separated. Over the following days, there were a flurry of complications involving breathing issues, suspected sepsis, one of the boys having a hole in his lung, as well as being very small. It was a whirlwind few early days, not the standard lovely, birthing experience majority of parents experience. However, knowing they had the most wonderful doctors and nurses taking care of them every step of the way made it that little bit easier to navigate for us as brand new parents.

The boys spent just under a week in NICU, then moved to the HDU for a couple of days and then finally a step closer to the door with the remainder of their time spent in SCBU getting bigger and stronger before they could come home. Getting to that stage was a great relief, knowing we were so close to getting home. They learned how to take bottles, came off their feeding tubes and piled on the weight each day. Having their grandparents being able to come to visit in the NICU was comforting and a nice touch that the hospital allows. Tomás and Daithí were discharged after spending 27 days in The Coombe, both of them coming home together which was even extra special!

Fast forward to almost a year later, we have two thriving boys full of energy, curiosity and fun, about to turn one year old. They are still under the care of the superb Professor White, getting 6 monthly check ups. They're great sleepers and love a good routine - something they definitely picked up in their early NICU days. The newborn phase was tough and being premature, it was longer than most people with a newborn have, but I look at it like we had 6 extra weeks of loving them. They've never let it hold them back, they're doing everything they should be!

My husband, Aidan, and I are beyond grateful for the outstanding care both we and the boys received in those whirlwind first few weeks. There was always a friendly smile, a chat or a few kind words from everyone - the midwives, the nurses, the doctors, the hospital assistants, the catering staff - everyone made a difference! Providing lunch to the NICU parents in the staff canteen was incredibly helpful too.

My advice to any parents navigating their NICU days, is know that your baby is in the absolute best place getting the greatest care possible from some of the most incredible people I've ever met. And even with all those extra weeks in the newborn trenches, the time flies by and you get through it, each new stage coming with new challenges. Take plenty of photos because one day soon you'll look back at them and it'll be hard to believe they were ever that tiny!"

Elaine - proud Mum of Tomás & Daithí

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