A NI family are giving back to the neonatal ICU at the Ulster Hospital for saving their newborn baby girl's life.
Baby Quinn was born on September 9, 2022 and was resuscitated shortly after birth.
Her grandmother Ali Hill, from Temple, is organising a Christmas fundraising event to show their thanks and appreciation for the unit.
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Quinn's mum Becki Garside, from Lisburn, told how Quinn spent her first eleven days in NICU.
The mum-of-three told Be: "She was four days late and weighed 8lbs 10oz. I had a low risk pregnancy and went to the home from home unit to have Quinn, however during my labour she started losing a lot of blood and it became increasingly difficult for the midwife to find her heartbeat.
"We were then rushed to the labour ward where it was evident how serious this was due to the amount of people in the room with us including NICU and obstetric consultants, nurse practitioners, doctors and midwives. There was an entire team working on Quinn to resuscitate and stabilise her before they brought her round to NICU.
"We weren’t able to get in to NICU to see Quinn until around 6pm that evening as staff were working with her all day. We had been prepared by the consultant about all the different machines that Quinn was attached to but it was still incredibly difficult to see her like that. She stayed in NICU for 11 days before finally getting discharged home on September 20."
Nurse Becki said her little girl is now doing great after being through so much.
"She will have various different appointments going forward to ensure her development is on track but overall we are just so glad that she’s here and she’s healthy. The day we finally got to take her home was just incredible. We were so happy to be bringing her home to meet her two older brothers.
"My mum and two sisters had our house decorated for us arriving and to say they went over the top is an understatement... We definitely felt very special," she added.
The Lisburn woman says it is a 'miracle' how well Quinn is doing after "such a traumatic" start to her life.
She told Be: "We are so grateful to all the staff that helped Quinn during her time in hospital. The teamwork was just incredible from the home from home unit, labour ward and NICU, and we are so aware of how lucky we are that Quinn is OK. We were looked after so well as a family and we will never be able to thank them enough for all they have done.
"Quinn is just perfect, and the fact that she is doing so well now after such a traumatic start is a miracle. So many factors needed to happen exactly as they did for her to be here today and we are so lucky and thankful to everyone involved in her care."
Becki's mum Ali, who is organising the fundraising event which is taking place at her home, told how much of a shock it was to hear that her granddaughter was in the NICU.
She told Be: "As this was Becki’s third pregnancy and the others went so smoothly, we never for one moment thought anything would go wrong.
"I will never ever forget getting the phone call from Becki letting me know that Quinn wasn’t OK and that a team were working with her in intensive care.
"The swift actions of all the midwives and NICU managed to keep her alive. Many families benefit from their help and vital lifesaving work. Quinn getting to ring the little bell as she left NICU was so special.
"Quinn is doing well now and no one would know just how ill she was... She is the happiest most content wee baby.
"When we finally knew they were getting home... the joy and relief was amazing although it will take us a long time to recover from the journey we found ourselves on."
Ali added: "I realise every moment of every day just how blessed we are but my heart absolutely breaks for those who have lost a child or a grandchild.
"Without every one of the excellent nurses, doctors and consultants that day, Quinn would definitely not have survived. Words could never ever thank them for what they have done for Quinn and our family. We will be eternally grateful to each of them.
"We came so close to losing Quinn, I don’t want to let her out of my sight. I have experienced a mixture of the most unbearable pain yet also the most indescribable love and gratitude.
"Quinn is absolutely our precious little miracle. I cherish every single moment with her."
Ali has arranged a Christmas fundraiser to give back to NICU at the Ulster Hospital.
It will take place on Saturday, December 10 from 10am to 4pm and slots can be pre-booked by contacting @lifeathillviewhouse on Instagram.
Tickets for adults and children aged 11 and above cost £5 and children cost £10.
Speaking about the fundraiser, grandmother Ali said: "I wanted to do the fundraiser as a way of recognising their vital lifesaving support to so many families and to say from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for saving Quinn’s life. We are so so grateful that Quinn is alive and each day that I get to hold her I know just how blessed I am.
"The fundraiser is going to be such a fun Christmas day and will be held at our home in Temple, Lisburn. It will be decorated for all to enjoy. Families will be greeted by Mrs Claus, then they'll see Santa beside the Christmas tree and get a small gift. There will be pony rides for the kids and all will be invited onboard the Big White Coach which will also be decorated for Christmas.
"A professional photographer will be there. We have over £2000 of ballot prizes donated and we are selling tickets before the event and on the day for just £2 each. I only have to think of Quinn to give me all the motivation to try my absolute best to make this day a huge success.
"I am blessed to have a large family who will all be onboard helping. The Big White Coach Events, Fairytale Pony Parties, Dandelion Studio NI, Lawn Letters and Cairo's Coffee are very much the core team."
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