Born at 27 weeks

When I grow up Mummy what will I be?
My beautiful daughter asks of me
At just turned two
She has no clue
Of the extent of possibility

When I grow up Mummy what will I be?
My cheeky son requests to see
At just turned two
He has no clue
Of how wide and wonderful our world can be

And so how do I, their Mummy, reply
To keep their dreams and aspirations high
I tell my two, both under three
They can be whatever they want to be
And that will be fine with Daddy and me
We’re already as proud as proud can be
With every single day of their life that goes by

You see, Born too soon and born too small
It is a miracle my two are here at all
But here they are and here to stay
We make the most of everyday
And we talk together, we hope, we dream
Of what when they grow up they’ll be

For grow up they will
The future looks bright
Because at the start
Their care was right
The doctors, the nurses, the reams of research
That made sure despite a premature birth
Esther and William, and now Matilda makes three
Can ask, what will I be when I’m grown Mummy?

Then There Were Three

I have written this post, this poem as part of Tommy’s #whenigrowup social media campaign. Without the work of this charity my beautiful twins may not be here today. Born at just 27 weeks they were in NICU for 59 days. They received fabulous medical care that gave them the chance to grow into the wonderful children that they are today.

Now I am asking you to help raise £100,000 for Tommy’s this summer by shopping in Asda during their Baby & Toddler event this summer (27th August – 16th September). Mums and dads can help support baby charity Tommy’s – and therefore other mums and dads across the UK to have a healthy baby – by stocking up on their baby essentials during their local Asda Baby & Toddler event.

During the event leading brands – such as Huggies, Pampers and Cow & Gate – are giving a donation to Tommy’s on selected products, to help Asda raise £100,000 for us, and to help fund our vital work to give every baby the best start in life. www.tommys.org/asdababy

Why support this event?
• Tommy’s funds vital medical research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage, and supports hundreds of families across the UK when they have to suffer the trauma of a pregnancy loss or complication.
• Problems in pregnancy traditionally receive very little funding for research in the UK, which is why Tommy’s work is so vital. In turn, none of Tommy’s work would be possible without the support of the public, and partners like Asda. So far Asda’s contribution to Tommy’s has enabled:
 Funding of Tommy’s PregnancyLine – a freephone phone line, staffed by midwives, which anyone can ring for support or advice following a pregnancy complication or loss. The line is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm – our midwives can be called on: 0800 0147 800.
 The charity’s new ‘Having a Premature Baby’ guide – an essential book for anyone who has had, or is at risk of, having a premature baby.

By supporting the Asda Baby & Toddler event this September, the public can help Tommy’s continue their vital research to ensure that more babies are born healthy, and offer the continued support that families so desperately need after the loss of a baby. With 1 in 4 women losing a baby at pregnancy or birth in the UK, the issues Tommy’s deal with affect a huge number of families each year, yet there are still many unanswered questions as to why complications in pregnancy happen – Tommy’s exists to change this.

As part of your weekly shop you can help parents throughout the UK realise their dreams and those of their growing children.

Thank you x