Zion was born March 2020 at 25 weeks gestation due to pre-eclampsia, weighing 1lb 3oz and spent 13 months in hospital.
He was given a 50/50 chance of survival, Zion’s mum Shanell, shares her sons story of a fight for survival on the neonatal unit and beyond during the pandemic.
From birth Zion needed to be on ventilator, he needed a feeding tube, central line and other lines to maintain his health.
He also had an arterial line on and off throughout his stay, I finally got to hold him for first time when he was 10 days old.
Zion needed surgery at around 6 weeks old, therefore he was transferred from the NICU to the PICU where he then needed maximum breathing support medication, this level of support continued throughout his 13 months stay at the hospital.
During this time, he was on and off ventilation and also needed maximum ventilation pre- and post-surgery. In total he had 7 surgeries on his bowel due to developing NEC which is a bowel infection affecting premature babies.
He has also needed breathing support medication through his various central lines he has had in, and support with his feeding via a nasal gastric tube.
During our stay on the NICU, I was able to get involved whenever it was safe for me to do so, I was able to get involved with his feeds even when they were via the tube.
I was able to give him a wash with cotton wool, change his nappy and was always invited to sit by his bed side whenever I wanted to reading books, singing or just to sit with him on a daily basis.
I was not able to go in the Ambulance when he was transferred to different units due to covid-19 restrictions, I found it an extremely challenging time as the restrictions meant being away from family and friends and also difficult not being able to access support especially as there were many times when Zion became extremely unwell.
I tried my best to cope with it all however it was a very difficult 13 months, he moved from NICU to the ward eventually however he did spend many of his first months back and forth between the NICU and PICU.
The PICU is an extremely different place in comparison to the NICU and certainly not as comforting, I would say that during the 13 months my worst times were when he was in the PICU however with the support of family and friends over the phone I have managed to pull through.
Zion is 3 years old and now spends his days in nursery and the child minders which he loves.
He currently has a gastrostomy which was fitted in his last surgery as he does not eat by his mouth due to the trauma he has had from his surgeries, he has sensory issues around eating and also had injections into his eyes to prevent them from being damaged due to retinopathy of prematurity.
To new parents experiencing the Neonatal wards now, take each day as it comes, ride the wave as there will be many ups and downs and reach out for support from family and friends as they will help to encourage and pull you through.
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