Brooke’s journey
Brooke’s baby was born at 33 weeks weighing just 3lb 8oz. One year on, baby Monty is strong and well. Now, Brooke is planning a skydive to say thank you to the NHS staff at The Royal London Hospital who helped her family through a difficult time.
Brooke at home with baby Monty
Brooke reflects on her time in hospital and explain why she’s now taking on a skydiving challenge:
“I’d had a normal pregnancy until my 28-week midwife appointment. She said the baby was quite small and sent me for an emergency scan, although she didn’t seem overly concerned at that point.
“At my follow-up scan two weeks later at The Royal London Hospital, they found that the baby had lost weight. That was when our lives changed forever.
“What happened next was a blur.”
Monty’s premature birth
“I was induced and our baby boy was born at 33 weeks. Monty was born by emergency Caesarean after becoming distressed during induction. It was the most wonderful, worrying time.
“He was a tiny 3lbs 8oz but he was perfect, and I knew my baby was a fighter. We had no idea of how poorly he would be, and we had no knowledge of the Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NICU) or the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).
“We managed to have a quick cuddle and take some photos then he was taken away from me. And then it all began – a world of doctors, nurses, machines, wires, beeping. It’s so strange, I’d walked past the door to 8D before, not paying any attention. It is only now I realise that miracles happen behind it.”
24 days in hospital
“Monty was in hospital for 24 days, first in intensive care and then special care. The nurses become your family, they are droplets of heaven on earth. The doctors are sensational, like nothing I’ve seen before. If it wasn’t for these people working tirelessly these babies wouldn’t have a chance of surviving.
“Not only did they give outstanding care to the babies, but to the parents too. They appreciate that you’re going through a lot.
“I found it overwhelming. I remember one nurse asking if I wanted to change Monty’s nappy but I was too scared because of all the wires. The nurses really put the time in and helped me through.
“They work such long hours. Sometimes we’d leave the hospital at night and come back the next day and the same nurse would be working. They work miracles, they’re angels.”
Monty's first birthday
Conquering fears
“One year on, Monty is doing really well. I’m now trying to raise as much money as I can for Barts Charity . I want to give a little something back to the NICU and SCBU, but I’ll never be able to repay what they did for me.
“I’m doing my first skydive and I’m already half way past my fundraising target. I’m petrified of heights so it’s lucky I’m strapped to someone otherwise I would never jump.
“I will always tell my son that the sky is the limit, so I will by flying through the sky to try and make a difference.
“Not all babies make it, some sadly gain their wings. I’m doing this for those angel babies, the surviving babies, and the angels that come disguised in scrubs.”
Donate to show your support
Thank you, Brooke for sharing your journey and for conquering your fears to fundraise.
As East London’s oldest healthcare charity, we’ve been at the forefront of advancing healthcare for hundreds of years. The hospitals we support provide excellent care to their patients. Yet too many people’s lives in East London are affected by ill health. At Barts Charity we have East London in our hearts and we want healthier, longer lives for everyone in our community.
We need your help to continue our support.
