Your stories

Mum reclining in a hospital chair with her baby wrapped in blanket and resting on her chest

Stories and features about babies born premature or sick, their families and the health professionals who care for them.

Featured Story

“Be kind to yourselves, take all the support you can get and accept help” - Elspeth’s and Craig’s story

Posted on July 18, 2023

Elspeth and Craig's identical twins Remy and Forrest were born at 29 weeks and five days. In their story, they share all the ups and down of their journey to bringing their boys home after 74 days in neonatal care.
Read more

Browse, search or select what you’re looking for.

Rachel 1

“Trust your instincts, but also have faith in our wonderful NHS” - Rachel’s #FullTermFeelings

February 09, 2023

For Full Term Awareness Month, Rachel shares her story of having a baby born full term but sick. Her daughter Mila needed treatment for persistent…
Emma

“My partner kept reminding that the nurses had years of experience” - Emma’s #FullTermFeelings

February 01, 2023

For Full Term Awareness Month, Emma shares details on what happened when her baby boy, Marco, was born at full term. Marco ended up needing neonatal…
Luke 1

“The unit became a comfort” - Luke’s story

January 05, 2023

Luke shares his experience of having a baby born prematurely. His son, James (Jim) was born at 31 weeks and spent time in different neonatal units…
Aiden 3

“It was all new to us and very scary” - Aidan’s story

December 20, 2022

Aidan and his wife Holly knew that their baby boy Teddy would need neonatal care. In his story, he shares details about the ups and downs of Teddy's…
Honey 1

“Guilt is a feeling that stayed with me” – Honey’s story

December 14, 2022

Honey went into labour at 38 weeks and didn't expect her baby girl Sophie to end up in NICU. Honey shares details of her experience of being in…
Debbie 1

“We have lovely memories of decorating the Christmas tree on the unit” - Debbie’s story

December 09, 2022

Debbie gave birth to her twins Daisy and Oliver at 26 weeks and five days and spent Christmas on the unit. She shares details about their neonatal…
Marija

“You feel as though your body has failed you” - Marija’s story

December 05, 2022

Marija gave birth to her daughter Lea at 26 weeks. She shares details of her neonatal journey, including her PTSD diagnosis, and offers her advice to…
P and B 1

“Reflecting on our neonatal experience is tough” - Alice’s story

November 23, 2022

Alice shares her experience of giving birth to twins at 23 weeks and four days. Peggy and Bodhi were in hospital for five months, but they’re now…
Simone

“Being in the NICU is emotionally challenging” - Simone’s story

November 21, 2022

Simone shares her experience of giving birth to her baby girl Phoenix at 29 weeks and offers her advice to parents currently going through a neonatal…
Duncan 1

“I was diagnosed with PTSD months after our baby came home from NICU” - Duncan’s story #ByYourSide

November 17, 2022

Today, on World Prematurity Day 2022, Duncan shares his experience of having a baby girl at 28 weeks. He wants to break down mental health stigmas,…
Chris 2

"I tried to stay strong" - Chris' story #ByYourSide

November 14, 2022

Ahead of World Prematurity Day, Chris reflects on his experience as a dad who had a baby boy born prematurely. In his story, he shares what practical…
Sarah 1

“We were told that we would never bring him home” – Sarah’s story #ByYourSide

November 11, 2022

Sarah shares her experience of giving birth to her baby boy Zayne at 24 weeks. Zayne weighed 449 grams but is now at home with his family.
NR 1

We were just like your baby – Rebecca and Natacha’s story #ByYourSide

November 11, 2022

Rebecca and Natacha were born 15 weeks early at University College Hospital London. They are now 13 years old, and for World Prematurity Day they…
Kim 2

“Together you’ll get through this” – Kim’s story #ByYourSide

November 08, 2022

Kim shares her story of giving birth to a premature baby at 25 weeks whilst on holiday in Spain. Ava was born in Lanzarote, before receiving…
Alma 1

“Prayer got me through the dark days” - Alma’s story #ByYourSide

November 04, 2022

Alma gave birth to her daughter Aafiya at 34 weeks and five days. She shares her journey of having a premature baby while having Covid-19. Aafiya…
Gemma 1

“I had to fight for my little girl” – Gemma’s story #ByYourSide

October 28, 2022

Gemma’s baby girl was born at 29 weeks, weighing one pound and six ounces. Gemma shares the ups and downs of their three-month-long NICU journey.
A collage of images of Elleasha's baby

“I hope that I never get separated from my baby again” - Elleasha’s story #ByYourSide

October 27, 2022

Elleasha shares the traumatic experience her and her husband faced when separated from her baby boy Keyun at birth. From their neonatal journey, she…
Sophie 1

“I didn’t realise how many full-term babies get admitted to NICU” – Sophie’s story

October 24, 2022

Two of Sophie’s children were born at full-term and admitted to NICU. In her story, she compares her two experiences of being on the unit, firstly…

Share your story with Bliss

If you are a parent and would like to share your experience, please complete our multimedia consent form. A member of the team will then get in touch with you.
Share your story