It is estimated that one in seven babies are born prematurely throughout South Africa each year.

Of the roughly 84 000 premature births, babies are born between 29 and 36 weeks of gestation.

Premature birth may be one of expectant mothers’ worst fears; however, Sr Marissa Schroeder, unit manager of Netcare Linmed Hospital’s maternity ward, says specialised care offered at Neonatal ICUs gives babies a fighting chance to live a healthy and fruitful life.

Observing World Prematurity Day (November 17), the hospital invited expectant moms and their partners to its maternity ward on November 20 for a morning of information sharing, awareness, and to prepare them should the unexpected happen.

Born at 29 weeks and weighing only 1.2kg, Kayce Gous entered the world.

Now six months old, the bouncing baby boy is reaching his milestones and filling his mom and dad’s lives with endless joy.

“Kayce spent a total of 65 days at Linmed’s Neonatal ICU. It was an incredibly stressful time. As a new mom, I was beside myself,” said Monique Gous.

“During this two-month period, the trained medical staff not only tended to his care but ensured that my husband, Christopher and I were supported every step of the way.”

Schroeder took the time to emphasise that the Neonatal ICU is a place of hope.

“It is here where medical treatment, faith and care merge, willing these special angels to reach their health and weight goals, to go home, where they belong,” she said.

“In observing this day, we use the opportunity to create awareness while having an open and honest conversation about premature birth, the challenges, as well as the success stories.”

Attending the event, first-time mom Monica Mock-Maree said the campaign has better equipped her for the final stretch of her pregnancy.

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