Biography of the Casey Family,
Our Preemie-l Founders

IT ALL BEGAN WHEN....
I had an uncomplicated pregnancy up until about 22 weeks when I caught the flu. I was unusually tired & achey for a couple of days before the birth & the baby was disturbingly quiet. Even though I tried to seek medical advice, I didn't get the help I needed. I was at work the day Vincent was born, came home with a headache, a few hours later began labour with contractions 6 minutes apart, & got to the hospital an hour before I delivered. It was small private hospital specialising in natural birth, no facilities for a preemie but very good staff who coped well under the circumstances. The midwives were appalled to see me - I had a temperature of 3C (109F degrees) & was delirious & in toxic shock. There was no discernable heartbeat during the labour. Vincent was born pink, very sick with the infection but quite a strong baby, thank God. I was euphoric after the birth, so pleased to have a son and so glad to be alive. I knew nothing about prematurity!

AND WHEN HE CAME HOME?
Vincent came home at 36 weeks weighing 6 lb. He had iron and vitamin supplements but didn't need anything else - just lots of love.

ANY REVISITS TO THE HOSPITAL, WHY?
Vincent was hospitalised for bronchiolitis (RSV) for a week during his first winter. He'd just started creche because I had to go back to work, & obviously didn't cope. Neither did I because I got pneumonia. He was hospitalised again in March this year, under neurological review after a sudden increase in muscle tone. His brain scans showed no new damage & he recovered again two weeks later. It was a very mysterious episode.