“I struggled to talk about how I was feeling until one day when Bliss visited the NICU” Disha and Kian’s Story #FullTermFeb

After a healthy pregnancy, our journey took an unexpected turn when my waters broke at 37 weeks, and we realised our baby would be arriving early. Sadly, things did not go as smoothly as we had hoped. During labour, I developed sepsis and experienced several medical complications, which resulted in our baby becoming very distressed and unwell.
 

Our son, Kian, was born on 21st August 2014 at Leicester General Hospital. He was floppy, grunting, and had a very high temperature, and he was admitted to the NICU almost immediately after birth.  At that moment, it was hard to feel the joy that usually comes with welcoming a baby, as we were overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Seeing our newborn in an incubator, needing help to breathe, feed, and regulate his temperature, was heartbreaking. 
 

The constant beeping of machines and the wires surrounding him were not how any parent imagines the beginning of their child’s life. 

Despite the many hurdles we faced, our time in NICU was ultimately a positive experience. Over the two weeks we were there, we rode an emotional rollercoaster, especially when Kian had to undergo a lumbar puncture and was later diagnosed with meningitis.  

With no external support at the time, we found immense comfort in the care, encouragement, and compassion of the NICU team. The doctors, nurses, consultants, and technicians were incredibly empathetic, supporting us through every decision and ensuring we were fully informed and involved in Kian’s care.

As a new mum with an unwell baby, the experience was emotionally and mentally overwhelming, the harder part being leaving the hospital without our baby and coming to an empty home. I struggled to talk about how I was feeling until one day when Bliss visited the NICU to support parents. A mum who had previously been supported by Bliss came to speak with me, and I will never forget what she said: “My baby was in the same situation, with only a 50% chance of survival, and I felt exactly how you do now. Today, that baby is 21 years old and thriving.”
 

That moment gave me the hope I was desperately searching for. It strengthened my resolve to stay strong for our baby and believe that he would make it through. And he did. Today, Kian is a happy, intelligent, kind and resilient 11-year-old. Although he developed epilepsy at eight months old, was later diagnosed with hemiplegia affecting the right side of his body, and more recently ADHD, he continues to thrive despite the challenges he faces. And that is what matters most.