RMH

Charlotte shares the story of her firstborn's birth, and the events that led to a 3-week stay in the Ronald McDonald House Toronto Family Room at The Credit Valley Hospital of the Trillium Health Partners in Mississauga, ON.

My waters broke in the middle of the night at 31weeks. 

My husband was working away in Texas and I had to get a taxi to our local hospital in Orangeville where the doctor examined me. I was totally petrified thinking I was going to lose the baby.

I was then rushed in an ambulance to Credit Valley Hospital because they are able to deal with premature babies, as we thought the baby would arrive within 48hours. My husband flew back from Texas, however, our daughter decided to stay put for another three weeks !  Due to complications, I had to stay in the hospital for the whole time and then was induced into labour at 34 weeks.

Thalia was born on December 5th, 2012, at 4pounds 12 ounces. She had problems regulating her breathing and was sent straight to the neonatal unit and put into an incubator. She received a drip for antibiotics and had a feeding tube. It was awful to see her covered in tubes and so little. She is a fighter though. 

The Family Room was a total blessing to us. Because I had been staying in the hospital for three weeks, it was a very stressful time for both my husband and I. Our home in Orangeville was an hour away, so going back and forth to the hospital would have been costly and time-consuming. I decided to just stay at hospital the whole time.

The Family Room lounge was somewhere we could go for a hot drink sit and eat our lunch watch tv, chat with other parents and just have a break from sitting by Thalias’ bedside. 

I used the Sleeping Rooms every night until I got my little girl home. If it were not for the Family Room, I would not have had Thalia home so quickly.  Because of the Family Room, I was able to breast feed her day and night.  

I think because I could be with her all of the time and give her so much love and attention, it made her stronger --- quicker. I was told by the hospital that I would probably not have her home until after the New Year, but we got out of the hospital before Christmas.  

I cannot thank you everyone at the Family Room enough. Because of you, Thalia had her first family Christmas at home -- all of us together.