Miracle Babies Foundation is Australia’s leading organisation that supports premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them, like Leanne and her son Aaron who was born at 29 weeks. 82206 Picture: Damjan Janevski
By VANESSA CHIRCOP
WHEN Leanne Rajendran was just 29 weeks pregnant she was diagnosed with a rare and dangerous condition, Hellp Syndrome.
Fifteen hours later Leanne was rushed into surgery where she gave birth to her first child, Aaron James.
“It was an overwhelming and terrifying experience,” she told Star. “Looking back I remember not understanding and thinking, no I’ll come back when the baby is due.”
Due to the complications mum and son were separated on different floors of the hospital and it was several days before Leanne saw her new bundle of joy.
Leanne said when she finally saw her son she couldn’t believe how fragile and precious he looked.
Weighing just 1081 grams, little Aaron had a long road ahead of him.
“It’s very hard to describe – there were tubes everywhere.”
It was almost three months before Leanne and her husband Ramanan were able to bring their son home.
Aaron is now nine months old, but Leanne says physically and according to his milestones he’s only six months old.
Realising the challenges she would face would be different to those of other parents, Leanne made inquiries to find a support group.
The Seaholme resident came across the Miracle Babies Foundation Nurture Group, who support families with premature and sick newborns.
“I wanted to know I wasn’t alone,” she said. “They’ve been wonderful. They really understand what you’re going through.”
Miracle Babies Foundation Nurture Group meets at the Louis Joel Community Centre on Fridays between 10am-12pm.
For more information see www.miraclebabies.org.au or phone 1300 622 243.
