‘Premature Sophia is our little miracle’

Michelle Telford Browning recalled the “fateful day” when she felt unwell and attended the Ulster Hospital, before being transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“We were in total shock and couldn’t believe this was happening...our gorgeous daughter, Sophia Violet Browning, was born at 4am on January 26, 2019 weighing in at just 1lb 10oz. The consultant told us we had a long road ahead but we never imagined the journey Sophia would have to take.”

Sophia was placed in the Neonatal Unit and Michelle said she had “ups and downs” in her first few weeks and had to get blood transfusions.

“We were told she had a small hole in her heart and issues with her lungs but she just kept fighting.

“At week seven she took a turn for the worse and we were told she had NEC (Necrotizing enterocolitis, a disorder in newborns caused by bacterial or viral invasion of vulnerable intestinal tissues) something we had never heard of. The medical team were amazing but told us to prepare for the worse. Three days later, they successfully operated removing 35cm of her bowel.”

Michelle added: “We met so many people who helped us through our long journey. The nurses and staff were incredible, not only looking after Sophia as their own, but by our side through laughter and tears.

“The TinyLife support team in both hospitals were fantastic. I remember TinyLife family support officer, Helen Marks coming to see how we were during my first week in Neonatal. It was lovely to sit and chat with someone who had been in our shoes.”

Unfortunately, in November 2019 Sophia became extremely ill and ended up in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for 10 weeks, spending her first Christmas and birthday in hospital.

Michelle said: “It was the worst year in all of our lives. And although she still has some on going issues and challenges, we are so proud and in total awe of how strong our little girl is after going through such a journey. At 21 months she is now thriving.”

TinyLife, Northern Ireland’s only premature and sick baby charity helps some 2,000 babies every year who are born too soon, too small or too sick.

The charity’s Val Cromie is encouraging people to fundraise for its PREMvember campaign to celebrate World Prematurity Day on November 17.

For more information visit tinylife.org.uk or find Tinylife on Facebook and Twitter.

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