Meet William

In March, parents Emma and Ben welcomed William after Emma was induced due to growth lag. William unfortunately developed a temperature within 21 hours of birth and was eventually diagnosed with bacterial meningitis which, when contracted in utero, is a rare occurrence. He spent a further three weeks at the Orange Health Service.

He’s certainly a little fighter: during his NICU stay he endured four lumbar punctures, a myriad of cannulas and catheters, and was fed antibiotics intravenously.

Emma says she was surrounded by so much love and support from her family and friends at the time, and the nurses in the special care nursery were absolutely brilliant.

“He was the only baby in the special care nursery, so he had lots of attention and the nurses grew really attached to him,” she says. “My mum kept everything running as normal at home with my eldest son Lachlan, and she also visited Will and I at the hospital most days.

“Will was exceptionally strong under the circumstances.It seemed that each procedure was more distressing for me than it was for him.”

Will is now a healthy baby who loves cuddling with his brother Lachlan. The next challenge for Emma is getting used to having two vivacious boys under two.

If you would like to nominate a premature baby you know to be featured as our Earlybird of the Month, we would love to hear from you. Please email lynda@earlybirds.com.au