A mother whose two daughters were both born prematurely is using her own experience to support other families across Bassetlaw and Doncaster as they navigate the difficult world of neonatal intensive care.

Leanne, whose one-year-old daughter Amelia spent the first nine weeks of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, has now trained as a perinatal support volunteer and is sharing her story through Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (DBTH), the same Trust that runs Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop.

From heartbreak to hope

Leanne first became a mother in January 2020, when her eldest daughter Olivia was born at just 24 weeks and one day, weighing one pound and four ounces. After being stabilised at DRI, Olivia was transferred to the specialist Jessop Wing at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.

Tragically, Olivia passed away in her parents' arms three days later – the first day they had been able to hold her.

Five years on, Leanne and her partner turned to IVF and welcomed Amelia in December 2024. Like her mum and sister, Amelia was born prematurely, this time at 27 weeks and weighing two pounds and two ounces.

“We were terrified that we were going to go through the same experience with Amelia as we did with Olivia,” Leanne told DBTH. “The NICU experience is one that no parents should have to go through – the alarms, constant activity, visiting your child every day instead of having them at home – it really does take a toll on your physical and mental health.”

After nine weeks in neonatal care, Amelia was well enough to come home.

Diagnosed with PTSD – and then finding a community

Even once Amelia was safely home, the emotional impact of what the family had been through stayed with Leanne. She described finding it difficult to look back at photos of Amelia's birth or even think about NICU without becoming upset.

“I felt sadness for our experience and guilt for feeling the sadness, as I thought of other parents who had a much harder journey than us,” she said. “I tried to hide my feelings from my partner as I didn't want him to worry about me and resisted the urge to seek help as I didn't think I deserved it.”

When Leanne finally reached out, she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and received support from DBTH's perinatal team, who encouraged her to join a Facebook support group for NICU parents. Sharing her story there, she was struck by how many other families had felt the same.

“It was a relief to know that my feelings were normal and that my reaction to trauma was valid,” she said.

Giving back as a perinatal support volunteer

With Amelia now thriving at one year old, Leanne volunteers as a perinatal support volunteer for local NICU groups – offering families the peer support she says would have helped her enormously.

“I strongly believe there should be greater awareness of prematurity and neonatal care during pregnancy. It would've helped me enormously to understand NICU and why babies might end up there,” she said.

“I hope sharing my experience encourages others to be open with their feelings and seek support, particularly dads – please don't suffer in silence.”

Her advice to other NICU parents: “Look after yourself, celebrate small moments, and never be afraid to ask questions. Don't compare your journey to others – every experience is unique. Being Amelia's mummy is a dream come true, and I'm so grateful to all the medical staff across DRI and STH who helped make this possible for us.”

Bassetlaw link

Although Leanne's specialist neonatal care took place in Doncaster and Sheffield, the perinatal mental health and community support services she accessed are part of DBTH – the same Trust that runs Bassetlaw Hospital on Kilton Hill in Worksop. The Trust's neonatal and perinatal teams serve families across both Doncaster and Bassetlaw, meaning Worksop and Retford parents going through a similar experience have access to the same network of perinatal mental health support, peer groups, and community midwifery.

Laura Churm, Divisional Nurse for Children and Neonates at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Leanne's courage in sharing her story, and her commitment to supporting other families, is truly inspiring. The neonatal journey can be incredibly overwhelming and having someone who understands that experience can make a profound difference.”

“We are so grateful for her compassion and her dedication to helping other parents feel heard, supported and less alone.”

Where to get help

If you have experienced a difficult pregnancy, birth or neonatal journey and are struggling, DBTH encourages parents to speak to their community midwife, health visitor or GP, who can connect you with specialist perinatal mental health services and local support groups.

Additional national support is available from:

  • Bliss – the UK charity for babies born premature or sick: bliss.org.uk or 0808 801 0322
  • Sands – supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby: sands.org.uk or 0808 164 3332
  • Samaritans – free, confidential support 24/7: call 116 123
  • NHS urgent mental health line – dial 111, option 2

Bassetlaw Hospital's maternity services can be contacted through DBTH's main switchboard on 01909 500 990.