A baby who was born at 30 weeks due to severe complications is now “thriving” after weighing less than a bag of flour.
When Natalie Mendlesohn found out she was pregnant with her second child, she was overjoyed – but then panic started to set in as a scan revealed blood in her baby’s bowel.
The mum-of-two was left “petrified” as medics revealed that while the anomaly had “self-corrected” itself, her newborn wasn’t growing quickly enough.
Soon, the 38-year-old was rushed to have an emergency c-section at only 30 weeks due to her placenta falling apart – and Lola was born weighing less than a bag of flour.
Now, she’s sharing her harrowing premature birthing journey in the hopes to raise awareness and offer advice to other parents in a similar situation.
“I felt so sad for her, as she was so tiny and I felt as if my body hadn’t done its job for her,” the women’s health coach from London told http://NeedToKnow.co.uk .
“I was lucky I could express lots of milk, so that became my focus to help fatten her up and bring her home.
“It’s petrifying, as I was only 30 weeks pregnant and I didn’t know babies could survive at this stage.
“I felt so sad to be leaving my son behind in a hurry with no time to explain it all to him.”
Natalie, who shares son Milo, seven, with husband, Ashley, 38, recalls her first pregnancy being “textbook” and straightforward.
While the childhood sweethearts were excited for the arrival of their second child, this quickly disappeared as her situation turned critical.
Lola, who weighed only 3lbs, required immediate NICU care and the mum claims the following 12 hours was “torture.”
She said: “I saw her little bottom and then I wasn’t able to see her for hours.
“My husband spent the whole night running between our rooms and taking photos for me.
“I had a home style birth planned, but when the consultant became concerned and called for a second opinion, the decision was made to deliver her straight away.
“She looked like a fetus with huge wires everywhere.
“The oxygen pipe covered her whole face and I was terrified not knowing how it would end.”
After five weeks, Lola was allowed home to her family and now, at five-years-old, the plucky tot is “thriving.”
The mum hopes to create a supportive community for others facing similar challenges, while offering guidance and emotional support through working as a post natal pilates expert at Postpartum Plan.
Natalie added: “For so many of us, birth doesn’t go according to plan and as this can have a huge impact on the mother’s postpartum experience.
“It’s so important for them to know that they’re not alone.
“She’s lovable, hilarious and gorgeous.
“Life is very normal for us now and we love being parents.
“I still find it distressing discussing certain aspects of Lola’s birth, but I also know how lucky we are to give birth to a healthy baby – albeit a tad too early.”
