Our precious little fighter

Born at just 24 weeks, baby Ottilie needed special care. Jane Barlow spoke with mum Rachel Pridham, to hear how our experts stepped into help once Ottilie was strong enough to go home.

Mum Rachel Pridham with baby Ottilie

Taking your new born baby home from hospital is a special time. It can also be a daunting time. This can be especially so if a baby has been born prematurely, like Ottilie Pridham.

It’s a lot for any parent to worry about. And all of this, while at the same time grieving for Ottilie’s twin brother, Remy, who sadly died, just four-days-old.

Mum Rachel, 32, from Tunbridge Wells said: “When you’re in hospital with a premature baby, it’s like you’re in a bubble, with doctors and nurses and specialists all to hand. When you go home, it’s scary.

“At the time we were also dealing with bringing only one baby home. It was then, that it became real, that we only had one. It was a very difficult time, having to adjust.

“So having support in the community, knowing you’re not alone and that someone can pop in, or there’s someone you can call if you’re unsure or nervous, it’s been great.”

Baby Ottilie was born following an emergency caesarean when Rachel was just 24 weeks pregnant. Ottilie weighed just one pound and two ounces and needed intensive and specialist care. She spent her first weeks on a ventilator to help her breathe and her first 116 days in hospital, in a specialist unit.

Ottilie was then well enough to be discharged, but still needed extra support at home. Having chronic lung disease, she needed a constant oxygen supply through a nasal tube and parents Rachel and Guy Pridham had to keep a very close eye on her breathing, sleep, weight and diet.

Rachel said: “Leaving hospital was super daunting. Ottilie had been through so much. She has a lot of scarring on her lungs because of the need for a mechanical ventilator, but as she grows, she gets stronger. It’s like she has Remy’s strength, as well as her own.”

Children’s Community Nurse Laura-Jayne Matthews has been supporting the family at home with weekly visits, as well as being at the end of a phone, if needed. She showed mum and dad how to do Ottilie’s oxygen tube and kept a close eye to make sure her oxygen levels were good, as well as monitoring her heart rate, overall health and carrying out sleep studies. She also liaises closely with Ottilie’s hospital consultants, as well as the family’s KCHFT health visitor. She keeps a close eye on Ottilie’s weight in particular, with the need to adjust medication accordingly.

Laura-Jayne said: “Ottilie is doing so well. Now one-year-old, we managed to wean her off oxygen at around eight months, so she can live a more normal life.”

Laura-Jayne also gave parents Rachel and Guy advice on skincare, with Ottilie’s skin sometimes becoming sore and red where a nasal tube had to be taped, to keep it in place.

There are appointments with our specialist children’s dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists too. Our health visitors are there for all parents and can give extra support if a baby has been born prematurely. They use an age correction method assessment for support with things like introducing solid foods and immunisations, considering the baby’s birth date and their due date, to help them catch up.

Rachel said: “The dietitians have made sure Ottilie is on the best formula and she’s getting the right vitamins. She has a cow’s milk allergy and weight gain has been slow, so they have recommended more calories, as well as weaning earlier.

“The physios and occupational therapists look at Ottilie’s movement and development and make sure she’s reaching milestones.

“Recently Ottilie had a cold and I sent Laura a text for advice. As well as the practical support, Laura is someone for me to talk to, outside of family and friends and I feel I can talk to her about anything.”

Rachel also praised staff at the neonatal unit at Tunbridge Wells and the Oliver Fisher Baby Care Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital.

If your baby arrives early or unwell, we are here for you. Find more on our website: family.kentcht.nhs.uk/babyarrivesunwell