When Alexandra Hills dad Jake Groom holds his tiny baby daughter Imelda in his arms, he knows how lucky she is to be alive.
Imelda Groom was born 10 weeks early at Mater Mothers’ Hospital in South Brisbane on October 29 – weighing just 1.8kg.
Imelda’s name means universal battle, and Mr Groom, a Wakka Wakka man, says she has already shown her fighting spirit.
Mr Groom, 27, and his partner Emelia Phillips, 22, have thanked the multidisciplinary clinical team at Mater Mothers’ for saving their baby.
The couple, from Alexandra Hills, said their daughter was “kicking goals” as she continues to receive around-the-clock care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“From week to week she’s getting so much bigger and she doesn’t need assistance with breathing anymore,” Mr Groom said.
“She’s definitely our miracle baby girl.”
Mr Groom said he was out with friends when Ms Phillips phoned him about 9.30pm on Saturday night (October 28) after she began suffering severe abdominal pain and bleeding. He rushed home and called an ambulance.
“Emelia had gone into labour and Imelda was born naturally just a few hours later, at 12.15am on Sunday,” he said.
Ms Phillips said that although she had been “in and out of hospital” for a month leading up to Imelda’s birth with lethargy, she was shocked when Imelda arrived early. Doctors at another hospital had detected a heart condition during her pregnancy which they were continuing to investigate.
“I had all these plans for Christmas, when I thought I would be heavily pregnant,” Ms Phillips said.
“Imelda was supposed to be born on New Year’s Day, but we are hoping she will be home with us in time for Christmas. It’s one day at a time. We know we are so lucky for Imelda to be here with us today.”
