A premature baby who was given a slim chance of survival has beaten the odds and grown up to become a neonatal nurse caring for vulnerable babies just like her.

Eden Linton, SPUC Youth and Education Officer, said: “Due to advancements in medicine and technology tiny premature babies have a growing chance of survival and every day are defying doctors’ expectations. Such babies are a powerful witness to the humanity of babies in the first nine months of life.”

27 years ago, Stacey Hamilton was born two months prematurely in Edinburgh. Stacey was cared for in an intensive care unit and spent over one month in an incubator.

Stacey made incredible progress. 27 years after her premature birth, she is now a senior neonatal nurse working at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Stacey has decided to dedicate her life to caring for vulnerable babies just like she used to be.

Inspiration

Stacey has described how those who cared for her as a baby inspired her to pursue her own career as a neonatal nurse.

Stacey said: “I was born by emergency c- section for placenta previa when my mum started bleeding heavily. In fact, the obstetrician who delivered me had just gone home for the night when he had to be called back in.

“So quite literally I may not have been here today. I spent 7 weeks in a neonatal unit before going home.”

Stacey’s colleagues at work shared her remarkable story on social media. Many new parents of premature babies went online and praised Stacey for her wonderful work in caring for their children.

One parent wrote: “She was one of the best nurses to our twins. It’s so nice to hear of someone who’s been through it all and now helping our little babies.”

“There is always hope”

SPUC’s Ms Linton said: “Stacey’s story is admirable and truly heartwarming.

“Evidence from Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, John Wyatt, shows that a baby born at 23 weeks gestation has a 50% chance of surviving. Professor Wyatt points out that 30 years ago less than 20% of babies born before 28 weeks of gestation survived. However, advances in medical care at the beginning of life have transformed the prospects of survival for premature babies.

“35% of babies born four months prematurely now survive if they are treated. Babies just like Stacey are a powerful witness to life and remind us that there is always hope.”