Two “miracle” Queensland babies will spend their very first Christmas at home with their family after spending over 100 days in hospital.
The twin babies were due four days after Christmas, but 16 weeks ahead of schedule the two tiny tots were born on September 11, and were “pint-sized”.
Brisbane GP Neha Goel, 36, said her babies, Aaliya, born weighing just 785g, and baby Aashay, born at only 680g, had sepsis after they were born. Aashay also had meningitis and became “very sick.”
“Every time they got sick it was touch and go. It happened so many times it was scary,” Dr Goel said.
“At times I wished I didn’t have a medical background; it would have made things a lot easier for me to process. I was overwhelmed with having my babies in hospital.
Dr Goel said there were times she though Aaliya and Aashay would not survive, but her husband Ben Aggarwal, 36, said bringing them home for the holiday season “meant the world.”
The two miracle bubs have received around-the-clock care for over 100 days in the Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane, but will be able to spend Christmas at their family home, alongside their 3.5-year-old sister, Siara.
Dr Goel said she had a new-found respect for parents who’s children are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“It’s really opened my eyes about what goes on here. You just don’t know until you go through it yourself. We were in good hands from the moment we came to Mater, my husband was the level- headed one and kept reminding me of that,” she said.
Since their birth, Aashay and Aaliya were growing from strength to strength, and are now tipping the scales at more than 3kg each.
“They are getting so strong, it’s so beautiful to see them together and thriving,” she said.
“We almost lost Aashay but he’s doing much better now and will require oxygen at home. Aaliya doesn’t require oxygen support. It’s been a long road but it’s just so nice to have them here and together again.
“Siara kept asking ‘Mummy, when are my babies coming home’, and I’ve always had to tell her they might be home after Christmas, so I didn’t get her hopes up.
“She’ll be so happy to see her Christmas wish come true”.
Acting director of Neonatology at Mater Hospital Dr Luke Jardine said there were eight sets of twins in the NICU this Christmas.
“For many families, this will be their first Christmas in hospital with their baby due to being premature or unwell,” Dr Jardine said.
“It can be an emotional and challenging time, along with a sense of hope their baby is being cared for in hospital.”