Premature babies and their mothers celebrated

Gallery Update

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Kangaroo Mother Care ward at the Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital celebrated World Prematurity Day on 17 November with mothers, babies, nursing staff, doctors and charity organisations.

The room was beautifully decorated with purple balloons and candles. Purple is the official colour to raise awareness about prematurity nationwide.

PHOTO GALLERY: World Prematurity day

Some of the babies were born at 26 weeks, weighing 900 grams and survived. Dr Petra Bouwer explained that these babies are the toughest little fighters because from the moment they are born they are fighting to survive.

The Kangaroo Mother Care ward is equipped to create a womb environment for these babies until they can survive without help.

He reminded the moms that the dads can be Kangaroo Carers and should help if possible.

"The moms are now our champions who should speak out and encourage other expectant mothers to go to prenatal clinics and not use any substances while pregnant."

Sister Sikelelwa Ngombane, who is the acting manager at the nursing ward and KMC explains: "This day is very important because we are celebrating our mothers and premature babies, which means they were born before 37 weeks. We've seen them fighting, we've seen them surviving a long and difficult journey with their babies. They've shared this journey with us. We believe that they can make it through and that their babies can grow and survive."

People and organisations in over 100 countries around the world unite on 17 November each year to celebrate this day.

More than 15 million premature babies are born every year, of which one million do not survive.

Cherished Baby is a Doxadeo initiative whose members visit the Mossel Bay Provincial Hospital's nursing ward every week to encourage and support new mothers. One of the members attending the day, Suzette Kruger: "We build relationships with the mothers of the Kangaroo Mother Care ward especially because they stay longer in the hospital.

"We celebrate the progress of all the babies and their mothers while learning how to cope and care for their premmies. We feel privileged to be part of their lives through Cherished Baby. It makes a difference in their lives, but also in ours."

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This little one in the incubator was born at 27 weeks on 9 November.