Today is the the fourth annual
World Prematurity Day - 17th November.
It's an international day to raise awareness of preterm birth - 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world each year.
In October 2013, my baby boy Max was born almost 11 weeks early weighing just 1lb 12oz.
What should have been a joyful occasion was in fact a very frightening time. I had undergone an emergency c-section and my emotions were all over the place.
I feared for my baby. I had no control. I had to put all of my trust in the doctors and nurses to look after him and keep him alive.
I didn't get to hold him until the next day and even then, he was covered in wires and on oxygen. They call it Kangaroo care, placing the baby skin to skin with the mother.
When the nurse placed him on my chest, I could hardly feel him - he was so light in weight. He gripped my finger tight ... he had some strength and that gave me strength.
The work the doctors and nurses did was amazing. My baby was so tiny and they managed to care for him in such a gentle, delicate manner.
Each evening I would leave the neonatal unit in tears, but I knew I was leaving him in safe hands.
After 7 weeks, weighing a mighty 4lb 3oz, Max was allowed to come home.
Of course, all journeys are not as straight forward, so the work charities such as
Bliss and
Tommy's do is vital.
I know how lucky we are.
