For Melissa, the path to motherhood was anything but easy. But nothing could have prepared her for the critical role the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) would play in her journey.
The impact of chronic endometritis on fertility
For years, she endured the debilitating effects of stage four endometriosis. Her condition not only caused chronic pain but also cast doubt on her dream of becoming a mother.
After several surgeries, including a lower bowel resection and removal of her appendix, Melissa was informed that if she wanted children, her time was running out.
Determined to become a mother, Melissa had an egg retrieval procedure. “My previous partners wanted children,” said Melissa. “So, I thought my only option was through IVF.”
Unexpectedly, close friend Jay offered to be her sperm donor. To know that they would share a bond for the rest of their lives gave his promise extra meaning, and they were both surprised and excited when Melissa became pregnant after the first embryo transfer.
Knowing her pregnancy was going to be a difficult journey, and with her family support in Sydney, Melissa decided to leave her successful corporate role in Melbourne and relocate.
Throughout her pregnancy, Melissa suffered severe morning sickness. At five months, Melissa was placed on strict bed rest at home after her doctor discovered a short cervix, increasing the risk of preterm birth.
Melissa was originally booked in to give birth at a private hospital close to home. However, on 15 December, she was experiencing intense stomach pains. With the pain intensifying, her mother suggested she call the hospital, and they advised her to come in for an assessment.
Melissa was shocked to be told she was seven centimetres dilated as she was only 27 weeks and five days into her pregnancy. She was advised that she needed to be urgently transferred to RNSH which has the only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in northern Sydney that provides specialised care for premature newborns.
When Melissa arrived at RNSH, despite the urgency of her condition, she remembers being warmly welcomed by a team of specialist doctors and nurses, who explained what she should expect when her baby was born.
Mariah’s life begins in RNSH NICU
Baby Mariah arrived by emergency caesarean on 16 December, weighing only 1.234kg – less than half the average weight of a newborn. She was immediately placed in a humidicrib and connected to a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help her breathe.
Melissa recalls the compassion of the RNSH NICU team during those first overwhelming hours. “The nurses not only took photos but played Mariah Carey songs during the birth because I told them I was naming her Mariah,” she said.
Neonatologist Dr Mary Paradisis became a pillar of support, reassuring Melissa that Mariah was doing well and always taking the time to answer her questions.
A Christmas to remember at RNSH NICU
Despite the challenges, the NICU nursing team made Christmas special. They dressed the babies in festive outfits and gave Melissa a card with Mariah’s tiny footprints – a gesture Melissa will treasure forever.
By mid-January, Mariah was breathing on her own – a major milestone. After five weeks in the RNSH NICU, she was transferred to a special care nursery, and on 19 February, Melissa finally brought her home, weighing a healthy 2.1kg.
Back home, Mariah is surrounded by love and Melissa’s parents absolutely dote on her. As an only child, Jay is soaking up every moment, and his mother is overjoyed to become a grandmother.
After discharge, Melissa continued seeing Dr Mary Paradisis for a few months to make sure Mariah was thriving – and she was.
“The NICU team provides 24/7 specialised care for critically ill newborn babies, and it was a pleasure to support Melissa and care for Mariah through the most challenging times and to see her reaching all her milestones,” said Dr Mary Paradisis.
A community of strength in NICU
During her time at RNSH NICU, Melissa found strength in the community of other parents navigating the same emotional roller coaster. Today, those bonds remain strong, forming a mother’s group with regular catch-ups and shared memories of the journey they endured together.
As a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to the NICU, Melissa makes a generous donation each year to the NORTH Foundation. Her gift helps ensure other tiny and vulnerable newborns at RNSH receive the round-the-clock care they need
“The NICU team saved Mariah’s life,” said Mellissa, “I will be forever grateful for everyone that looked after her.”
If you would like to support the care of pre-term and critically ill babies, please make a donation.
