Tilly’s Story:

In December 2025, we were enjoying a family holiday at Disneyland Paris, full of excitement as I was 32 weeks pregnant with our baby girl, Tilly. Suddenly and unexpectedly, I started bleeding heavily. It was a scary moment in the middle of all the happiness, but we called a ambulance and they got us to a nearby hospital in France without delay.

The medical team acted swiftly to stop the bleeding and ensure both Tilly and I were stable enough to travel. We made the decision to head back to the UK for ongoing care, taking the Eurotunnel home.

Just ten minutes after leaving the tunnel and joining the motorway, the bleeding started again. We were on a busy stretch with no hard shoulder, so Luke called for an ambulance , Highway officers soon arrived and escorted us to Maidstone services.

Three ambulances responded, and the paramedics took such great care of us as they rushed us to William Harvey Hospital in Kent. There, it became clear I was hemorrhaging, and the team prepared for an emergency C-section. Tilly was delivered safely but needed immediate support to help her breathe, as she was born early at 32 weeks.

I spent three days recovering in hospital, longing for the news that our little girl would be okay. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Tilly received the most tender care: CPAP and oxygen to support her breathing, light therapy for jaundice, a feeding tube to help her feed and regular blood tests since she had been exposed to my blood and our types are different.

The NICU staff have been incredibly supportive every step of the way. Since Tilly arrived so early, we weren’t fully prepared at home, but they’ve helped us with everything we need, from essentials to kind guidance and emotional support.

Right now, Tilly is still in the NICU, making steady progress each day. We’re travelling four hours round trip to visit her, holding her tiny hand through the incubator and telling her how much we love her. Those precious moments, feeling her little fingers grip ours, fill our hearts with hope and overwhelming love.

Tilly’s arrival has been a challenging journey, but it’s also highlighted the incredible kindness of so many people—from freinds and family, the highway officers, paramedics, and everyone at William Harvey. Our tiny girl has already shown such resilience, and we’re endlessly proud of her.

We’re waiting for transport arrangements to bring her closer to home soon. In the meantime, every day with Tilly reminds us to cherish the small miracles and the love that carries us through tough times.

If you’re able, consider supporting premature baby charities or your local NICU—they make a huge difference for families like ours.

Thank you for reading Tilly’s story. She’s our precious miracle, and we can’t wait to bring her home.

With love and gratitude,
Tilly’s Mum and Dad ❤️