On 26th October after 2 nights in hospital as a precaution, my wife unexpectedly gave birth to our son, Joshua David Wright. At just over 27 weeks gestation, Josh was nearly 13 weeks early. At 2 lbs 10 ounces, he had a long way to go. Josh was whisked off to NICU at L&D hospital. This is Joshuas story…

Day 1

Well, that escalated quickly! only a few hours ago your mum was brought down to the delivery room as a precaution, then about 30 minutes later after a c-section, along you came! Doctors at bedford were all over the place, you were settled and rushed off to luton and dunstable NICU. Safe to say, Daddy was pretty terrified, although everyone we spoke to was amazing, showing how much they knew and what to expect. The ANTS lady that brought you here even said you were showing off by the time you arrived at NICU. Daddy went home for a drink!!

Day 2

Mummy’s still in Bedford, you’re over in Luton. Doctors said you had a good night, continuing on CPAP for now, apparently thats good for your age. There’s a machine for everything, and they all keep going off. Considering the noise in that place though, you look fairly comfy. I can see why your mum said you were a wriggler!

Day 3

Mummy’s out of hospital today, and its the first time we’ve both seen you together with mum aware of whats going on after the operation! She was a bit nervous at first because of all the machines, but you could tell from the look in her eye she fell in love with you the second she saw you. She’ll be looking after you well mate! All your machines are the same, still looking pretty good, although you did have a blast on the sunbed because you had a bit of jaundice. The rest of the grandparents got to see you today too, so did your Aunty, which was very kind of the nurses as they arent supposed to let in anyone else other than grandparents and us.

Day 4

Wow, can’t belive it, you’re out for cuddles already! had a good catch up with mum and dad about whats going on, but if i’m honest you looked more interested in catching a bit of shut eye! Still doing pretty well, lost a bit of weight apparently, but never mind. you keep forgetting to breathe though, best watch out for that little one!

Day 5

Still pretty much the same today, keep having a few bouts of apnoea, which we’re told is quite normal, but other than that all good.

Day 6

Still having a few periods where you forget to breathe. Mum and Dad both struggled today, we didnt think you looked right. The doctors say you look ok but there’s a lot of alarms going off on your monitors today. They’ve tried a couple of times to get your long line in to keep feeding you but its not going. ok for now but you’ll need it soon because your belly line will fall out soon.

Day 7

Looks like the long line’s all gone in ok finally. 3rd time lucky! you look ok other than that, but you’re still forgetting to breathe!

Day 8

Mad day today! Apparently it looks like you’re getting an infection, and this forgetting to breathe thing is getting a bit more regular, so they’ve put you back on the ventilator. Definitely scared mum and dad, but its for the best we know. We knew you didnt look right the other day, and seems the doctors knew too. Sounds like its best you have a breather and let the machines do the work for now, catch a bit of rest, and you can try again when you’re ready.

Day 9

Still not looking too great. You’re still on the ventilator which is ok because you need it, also turns out you needed a blood transfusion overnight too. Not great having to watch you like this, but from what all the nurses keep telling us, its all pretty normal for a baby of your age, even a few other mummies said a similar thing happened to their babies around the same time. Doesnt stop us worrying about you any less though! Having said that though, the dcotors seem pretty happy with you, they;re going to take you off the ventilator and try you back on biPAP for a bit to see how you get on, still waiting on blood results about this infection though, apparently one of the things they check is slightly high, so it might be the case.

Day 10

The doctors seem pretty impressed with you today, a day on biPAP and i think you’re being moved down to cPAP soon too, which is where you were last week. Mummy’s been doing your cares and changing your nappy, we even got to get you back out for cuddles again finally. good day today!!

Day 11

back to fidgeting around left right and center, looking pretty good to me. The nurses did say you’d been a little bit sick, but thats pretty normal in a baby apparently, so not to worry too much.

Day 12

You were sick as we made it to hospital again today, but apparently that means nothing really. All the doctors seem pretty happy with you, they’re going to try you without your ventilator tomorrow to see how you get on, sounds good to me! Mummy and Daddy both did a bit of nappy changing, mum made a bit of a mess, but thats nothing new really!!

Day 13

Turns out you’re still being a little bit sick, the doctors think its just a bit of reflux though so they’re sticking a bit of carobel in your milk so they can thicken it up a bit. Looks like they’ve taken you off the TPN now, you’re just on milk which is pretty good news, you just need to keep it down now! Best news of the day though, you had your first time off cPAP. The doctors gave you an hour at first but you did pretty well so kept you off another hour. Nice work son! keep it up!

Day 14

Still losing a little bit of weight, but other than that you’ve had a really good day, mummy said you managed to get through 4 hours in one go breathing on your own. Mummy had you out for a cuddle without your mask off, said it was really good. Just need to concentrate on that weight now

Day 15

You’ve gone up 35 grams overnight, which takes care of the weight you lost over the last few days. Still doing really well with 2×4 hours off the cPAP and breathing on your own. You were a little bit sick on mummy earlier while you were having a cuddle, but I think thats our failt for moving you about too much.

Day 16

Another 15 grams today, good lad. Mummy and Daddy are starting to come at different times so i can start going back to work, best look after mummy when she comes in later on!

Day 17

Didnt put on any weight yesterday. Doctors dont seem overly concerned though, so I guess its ok. On the plus side you’re now up to 12 hours on/12 hours off cPAP and breathing on your own for half of the day.

Day 18

Doctors said you should be coming off the cPAP today, and they’ll try you on a vapo machine for a bit instead, things are definitely going well! You’re struggling a bit with food though, getting reflux and your heart rate drops after you’ve eaten.

Day 19

Looks like we’ve definitely worked out that you need to be in a certain position when you eat to make sure you dont have any drops in heart rate or forget to breathe! other than that you’re doing really well still

Day 20

We were told you were doing well this morning, and unbelievably they were talking about sending you back to bedford. Instead of putting you on the vapo machine, they decided to try you without any breathing stuff at all because you were doing so well. So it seems that you will be making a move to bedford today after all. still cant believe it!

Day 21

So they’re still waiting for you at Bedford, looks like the transport team had an emergency to deal with during the day so we had to wait for the night team to see what they could do, and they had an emergency too. We finally heard around lunch time today you were moving, and the team were on their way. The same lady that helped bring you over on day 1 showed up and was pleased to see how well you were doing. So it’s bye bye NICU, hello stage 1/2 in Bedford. Thanks to everyone at L&D, cant thank you enough!

Day 22

Three weeks old today! settling in quite well at Bedford, you’re still having desats when you feed but everyone seems ok with you. The new machines you’ve got monitoring you are rather loud, more scary than the ones at L&D, but more because they’re loud than anything else. Nana and Grandpa came by to say hi again. Oh yeah, you’re at 3lbs now too!!

Day 23

Today’s the first day Daddy hasnt been to see you, finally back at work normally. I cant say I’m happy to not be seeing you, but you’re with mummy, she’ll take care of you.

Day 24

Tonight’s been the first time I’ve been to see you in the evening. You’ve been having a few problems today, and still havent really settled by the time I got to you in the evening. We managed to have a cuddle but all your machines kept alarming. Not a great day today.

Day 25

So you don’t have MRSA, which is a bonus. on the downside though, it means you have to move rooms ,no more private room for us, You’re still really struggling with reflux. Mummy says the doctors are changing your medication to try make you feel a bit better, but its making you sick. Mummy’s with you but she’s a bit worried about you today, especially with the alarms going off again.

Day 26

Much better today. We had cuddles for about an hour this evening, and you were good as gold. Not 100% sure the nurses aren’t going to steal you before we leave, they’re all eyeing you up. They say you’re really cute. don’t blame ’em really.

Day 27

Good day today, its the first time you’ve been moved out of your incubator. Mummy says its much better because we can hold your hand easier, and you feel a little less helpless.

Day 28

I’ve been with you all day today, your mum needed a little sleep in with all the extra work she’s been doing bless her. mummy came along later on though, and we all had a pretty good day. We’re all looking forward to the day these reflux brady’s stop though. they’re really scary each time.

Day 29

Much the same again today, you’re still having brady drops around feed times. most of the time you sort yourself straight out, but you’re starting to need help now which is getting a bit worrying. you’ve put on weight though. 3lb 4oz now.

Day 30

Mummy said you’ve been up and down all day again today. most of the time you’re behaved but you still have some pretty bad dips from time to time. apparently you did a projectile poo today, mum found it rather funny. she’s mature like that.

Day 31

something seemed a bit wrong with you tonight, not really sure what it was but there was something up with you. thats the first time i’ve seen you take that long to get settled after a dip before. really worrying stuff, and you dont seem the same.

Day 32

Not the best day today! these dips are really becoming a problem now. Docs think you might have an infection to go with your reflux, so you’re just trying too hard to sort everything out. Mummy thinks you’re tired. I agree really, but both of us are terrified today. They’re talking about moving you back over to the high dependency section, and possibly even venitlating you again.

Day 33

So overnight they moved you back to high dependency. you’re having far too many dips and the nurses are getting worried about you. You’ve been put back on cPAP and even moved to nil by mouth while they get to the bottom of whats wrong with you. not brilliant but looks like its the best thing for you.

Day 34

Looks like having a bit of time on cPAP seems to be helping. much fewer dips today, and they’re already taking about giving you a bit of milk later, and a few hours off cPAP too. promising but still not sure you’re ready.

Day 35

You’ve been off cPAP all day and the docs have been trying to increase your food. so far so good really. not really had any dips and you’ve been seeming much better. And, i’ve no idea how exactly having not had food for two days but, you’ve actually managed to put on weight. 3 lbs 11 oz now.

Day 36

Still going well, you’ve been increasing your milk quite well, and tolerating it all more or less too. you’re still on a drip but the docs are weaning you off it now. hopefully you’ll be moved back to your cot tomorrow.

Day 37

Yep, you’re back in your cot now, and looking much better. All the nurses are saying you look like a different baby now. Clearly all you needed was a bit of rest!

Day 38

You look so much better than you did a few days ago. still a few things to sort out to being back to where you were before the other day, but we’re nearly there I think.

Day 39

Hurray, no longer on a drip, and back to feeding normally. Mummy and Daddy have been able to relax a bit. you look lovely again, full of beans now like before.

Day 40

More progress today, feeding is going well and your bradys and desats have gone back to occasionally with feeds, which we can all live with. your reflux still seems to bother you, but it doesnt seem to affect your appetite.

Day 41

Mummy says you’re still being great. You do still have bad dips around your feeds, which can sometimes be a bit unsettling for us to watch, but you don’t seem fussed at all, more interested in cuddles with mummmy than stupid reflux!

Day 42

Showing off again today, good as gold. Nothing to talk about really.

Day 43

You had some visitors today. as usual everyone that claps eyes on you reckons you’re beautiful. I have to agree, evem if it is biased.

Day 44

Gaining weight quite steadily now. You had another eye exam too and the docs still think everything looks ok, nothing untoward with your peepers

Day 45

The nurses think it might not be long before we can start trying you on four hourly feeds. Thats good news, when you get up to that amount we can start think about taking you home. your reflux is stull quite bad though, so not sure how that’s going ot work when you come home

Day 46

Mummy said we can give you a bath at the weekend. We’re really excited, another thing for us to do with you that makes us feel as though you’re a normal baby.

Day 47

Quite a lot of sick today, mummy said you were changed about 4 times! i had to bring rations in to the hospital when i came to see you. Silly reflux.

Day 48

Nice and settled today. Mummy spoilt you with lots of cuddles again, and you slept through most of the day

Day 49

You had your first bath today, very exciting! its nice to be able to do some normal baby stuff with you. It’s also nice to hear you cry in a weird way! you didnt like having your body washed and let out a massive cry! you’re usually so quiet!

Day 50

Sounds like you slept well after your bath. pretty much the same today. not a great deal to report.

Day 51

The doctors have said you might be able to come home on Sunday, how exciting! There’s still a lot for you to do before then, but its great news that they’re starting to think about you going home!

Day 52

So the nurses heard about what the doctors said, and arent so sure about Sunday. It looks more like the weekend after, which is actually still pretty good as it means you should be home for christmas still!

Day 53

4lbs 1oz today, get you! your bloods are showing your haemoglobin is a bit low, but they’re going to monitor it for a bit before deciding whether or not to give you a transfusion

Day 54

We’re a bit confused as to why they told us you were coming home. you need to move up to 4 hourly feeds first, and tolerate at least half of your milk yourself rather than down your tube. they might change that soon though.

Day 55

Up to 4lbs 3oz now. still looking a bit pale but the docs think your bloods are mostly ok, so just need to see how you get on. Apparently its quite common to have a tranfusion before you go home anyway just to make sure, so it might fit in quite nicely.

Day 56

Tried another bath today. you’re still ok with having your hair and face done, but really not so fond of the body wash! you have a right little cry each time! you managed to pull out your nose tube so we took the opportunity to get a few photos without any wires for a change!

Day 57

Cuddles with the other grandparents today and Aunty Helen. Everyone is absolutely in love with you, its very nice to have everyone together!

Day 58

You started four hourly feeds today, looks like its going pretty well so far, we now need to work on getting you to do a bit of the work for yourself.

Day 59

The docs have decided you’re going to have this transfusion after all, you still look a bit pale and they just think it should perk you up a little

Day 60

The docs were right, you look a lot better now, much pinker which is lovely. Doesnt look like you’ll be home on sunday though. we’re getting close though!

Day 61

Happy 1st Christmas little fella. You’ve been spoilt rotten today. the amount of presents you got was insane! you’re very lucky. It hasnt been what we’d imagined your first chrimstmas being like, but you’ve been the best present we could’ve asked for! You finally weigh over 2 kilos, so the docs can change your formula to make you stronger

Day 62

Mummy’s not feeling great today so she’s stayed at home, very much the same really. you seem fine to me 🙂

Day 63

Well that’s a nice little surprise, we came in this morning and your saturation monitor was turned off. The nurses said you havent had any brady’s for a few days now, and when you go home you wont be on any monitors so you (we) will have to get used to it. so we’re getting closer to getting you home! You had another bath today, still not happy about it but you love having your hair washed. We decided to see how you’d get on with a bottle today too, and you took to it quite well. good lad!

Day 64

The nurses said you did quote well with the bottle over night, and you’re still taking half each time, which is really good. So good in fact they’ve said that if all goes well you can come home in a couple of days on Wednesday! we’re so excited!!

Day 65

This isnt exactly how we thought we’d be starting the day. The nurses rang this morning to tell us that you’d been sick this morning and as a precaution they’ve moved you to the intensive care unit. Before we knew it they had to put a tube down your throat to ventilate you. that means you have to go back to NICU, as they cant look after you like that. So we’ve gone from nearly home to back to luton in one day. not great!

Day 66

You had a good night, still on the ventilator in luton. They think you’ve got an infection, but need to do some more tests to find out what it is. They’re treating you for what they think it might be in the meantime, but you’re staying strong which is good. Your mum and me are worried sick, but you don’t seem all that fussed.

Day 67

So the doctors have done a lumbar puntcure as they suspect you might have meningitis. Still on the ventilator. This is the longest you’ve been on the venitlator for since you’ve been born. The doctors are saying its just to be safe but it doeasnt stop us worrying.

Day 68

The doctors say you’ve caught the flu, which is why you’ve been so unwell. apparently they cant treat that because its viral and not bacterial. At least they know what it is now so they can treat you and make you better again. Still waiting to find out whether you have meningitis though.

Day 69

There was an emergency with another baby last night, so sadly you didnt go to bedford lasst night. You did manage to go today though which is good news! All the nurses at Bedford seem as relieved and happy as we are to have you back!

Day 70

They’re starting to try put your feeds back to how they were before the flu. you’ve got a little bit of oxygen on the tube again but its just to help you along really. I think its at 0.02% which is nothing really.

Day 71

Well, the nurses are mentioning the ‘H’ word again, home. We’re a bit apprehensive after the last time we were told but maybe you’ll be coming home soon

Day 72

2132g this morning, about 4lbs 11. Good going considering you fad flu last week. Mummy says you had cuddles without the monitors again so fingers crossed!

Day 73

You keep pulling your nose tube out apparently, so the nurses are just going to leave it out. Thats a good things because it means you can get used to eating without it for when you come home

Day 74

Docs agree you can hopefully come home at the weekend, great news! Apparently your phosphate levels are a bit low so you’re going to go on medication for that, but other that that you’re doing well.

Day 75

You look a lot better to me now, you’re still on the monitors though, but i guess its because you just got back from NICU

Day 76

Mummy’s definitely rooming in with you tonight, you’re officially two days from going home! All the monitors were finally taken away again today.

Day 77

I’m joining mummy with rooming in tonight for hopefully your last night in hospital. You’ve been weighed again at 4lbs 13oz. You passed your car seat test, so looks like there might not be much more keeping you in hospital anymore. We’re still scared to turn off your apnoea monitor, but everyone says its ok to turn it off.

Day 78

It finally happened! 78 days after you were born, we got to take you home today. I can’t even begin to describe how happy we are! A MASSIVE thank you to every single doctor, nurse, midwife, support worker or anyone else that’s helped with Josh during his stay in hospital.


So that’s Joshua’s Story. We hope by putting this site out there, we can help people that are going through a similar situaton. Thousands of babies go through tough times when they’re born. Before Josh, we hadn’t even considered the possibility of him being born early. This is one of the reasons why it’s such a shock to new parents. Bliss is a charity that helped us through our time in hospital. That’s why Joshua’s dad is running the london marathon to try raise awareness of this charity. If you can spare anything, we’d be truly grateful, you can donate to this cause here.

Those of you on social media can find us on Facebook and Twitter. Should you wish to email for further advice or just for a chat, you can do so here.