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Royal Devon and Exeter

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital signed up to the Bliss Baby Charter in 2017 and in January 2020, they became the fourth unit in the country to be accredited.

St Peter’s

St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, was the highest scoring neonatal unit to be assessed by the Bliss Baby Charter team in 2019.

Tips for making the most of your time on the…

View our animation and listen to our podcast for tips and parent stories on getting involved on the unit.

Our daughter's first Christmas was in NICU -…

Clare tells the story of her daughter Savannah's first Christmas, which was spent in NICU. They made the most of a difficult situation and her husband even dressed up as…

Our baby woke up on her first Christmas Day…

Just before Christmas, four years ago, I was seven months pregnant. My husband and I were looking forward to the holidays. It was due to be our last Christmas together…

"I wasn't looking forward to Christmas Day if…

Having a premature baby seven weeks early leading up to Christmas was never a possibility I had considered. The fact that things didn't go to plan is something that has…

A Christmas to remember - Rachael's story

Rachael's baby wasn’t due until mid February, but having had her first child a month early two years previously, she knew that he might be born premature - she just…

"I was petrified that I would give birth…

Rachael gave birth prematurely to her son, Joshua, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, she tells her story and how the difficult restrictions affected her and her family.

"I felt guilty that I couldn’t keep her safe…

Betsie overcame so much during her first few months. She was an IVF baby, as her father had radiotherapy and chemotherapy for an incurable brain tumour and she was born…

Working for Bliss

If you work for Bliss, you’ll be part of a passionate, hardworking team who are making a real difference to the lives of babies born premature or sick.

"You just don’t know until you go through it"…

Giorgia's son Arlo was born 11 weeks premature during the height of the pandemic. She explains how the parental restrictions and neonatal experience have impacted her…

"It felt like a never ending battle" -…

When Charlotte gave birth unexpectedly at 31 weeks, her daughter, Leela, was admitted to neonatal care. Read her story here.

"It is an experience that changes you" -…

After being in NICU for 5 weeks after giving birth to Arlo, Frankie met Georgie, who also had a NICU baby. Together they set up an Instagram account which connects other…

"I call NICU 'parenting boot-camp' and I…

With George being a full term baby, Rosie did not expect him to end up in NICU. Here, Rosie tells her birth story, how she and her family dealt with NICU, and the…

"Each time I walked into NICU, I expected the…

At Bliss every day is Mother’s Day

We want to support all the amazing mums or mother figures who are caring for babies born premature or sick and need us to be there for them. You can help to ensure that…

"I am in awe of my mum's strength" - Jo's…

This Mother's Day, Jo is reflecting on her mother's strength when she was born at 25 weeks in 1988, as well as celebrating her own pregnancy - she's expecting a baby…

"It was hard to understand how a full term…

Kim's baby was born full term at 41 weeks and two days. During birth her baby Blake suffered a brain injury causing her to need treatment in NICU. Here, Kim tells the…

Having a premature and full term baby in…

Bethany experienced neonatal care for the first time when son born prematurely in 2018, and again when her second son Teddy was born at term but sick. Here she describes…

"I felt useless, helpless and that it was all…

Kerry's daughter Evie was born full term and diagnosed with HIE, a type of newborn brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen and/or blood flow. Kerry tells the story of…

What is the Baby Charter?

Explore more about the Bliss Baby Charter and the impact units are making.

Baby Charter Successes

Explore some of the brilliant work going on in units taking part in the Baby Charter Programme.

Register for the Baby Charter

Join our team of units taking strides towards improving quality and building the foundation of Family Integrated Care.

Going further with the Bliss Baby Charter

Explore the later stages of the Bliss Baby Charter, and which stage of the programme is right for you.

"Everything that I had planned was taken away…

After a pregnancy with no issues, when Kaitlin gave birth to her full term baby, he unexpectedly needed care in NICU. Her son, Lleyton suffered a brain injury. Kaitlin…

Chronic lung disease (CLD)

Chronic lung disease (CLD) is diagnosed when babies need ongoing help and support with their breathing after 36 weeks corrected age, or after they are 28 days old.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) causes babies to have problems with breathing after birth. Find out more information on this page.

"You feel like there is no light at the end…

After giving birth at 31 weeks, COVID-19 restrictions sadly meant Danielle and her baby were separated for almost two weeks. Here, Danielle discusses how difficult the…

"Without a shadow of doubt, Harry is my…

When Emma Flatman’s son Harry was born 11 weeks premature in March 2014, she had no idea if he would survive, but this “miracle baby” proved everyone wrong. Now her…

I just remember sobbing all night, thinking…

After a smooth pregnancy, Lorna's full term daughter unexpectedly needed to be resuscitated. Her daughter, Neive, was diagnosed with HIE and had to spend time in NICU.…