A grateful mum who gave birth to a baby weighing a little more than two bags of sugar has thanked staff at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust to celebrate World Prematurity Day (WPD).

WPD is celebrated on 17 November. It is a global movement to raise awareness of premature birth and the sometimes devastating impact it can have on families.

Life on a Neonatal Unit (NNU) can be challenging for parents in many ways, and the impact on their mental health is often felt for years after.

That’s why the theme for this year is #NeonatalFeelings which focuses on the mental health of parents of babies in neonatal care.

Randip Randhawa, 35, had baby Ambar at 28 weeks and two days.

Baby Ambar, who is currently seven weeks old and is an inpatient on the unit, weighed 1,200 grams when she was born at Walsall Manor Hospital.

Randip had a spontaneous labour and was at risk after she gave birth to her son, who is now three, at 34 weeks and five days.

“I didn’t expect to give birth so early this time,” said Randip. “It was a really scary experience. I felt so anxious about my baby’s health. It all just felt so surreal.

“You don’t expect to not leave with your baby and when I got home, I felt really empty.

“Leaving my baby with people who were initially strangers was really tough too. However, staff have been amazing.

“They are so compassionate and understanding. You build a rapport and so much trust in them. I always feel reassured leaving Ambar with them when I need to go home to my little boy.

“They don’t just care about baby’s health but also the physical and mental health of mum too. I have been here for seven weeks and whenever the nurses see me in the corridor they always ask if I’m OK or if I need anything.”

Randip added: “The postpartum journey for neonatal mums is different and staff have been pivotal in my change of thinking to get me through this. I can’t thank them enough.”

Walsall’s NNU celebrated WPD by having a promotional stand, bake sale and handing out goody bags and kangaroo teddies for parents on the unit. It also raised funds for the unit which will help babies and families.

Shazia Tabassum, Sister at Walsall Healthcare, said: “We are promoting kangaroo care this WPD. Kangaroo care promotes skin-to-skin, bonding and raises awareness of neonates and prematurity.

“We celebrate it every year as it is so important to make people aware of the consequences and benefits of doing things early for baby.

“It is also good for families and staff to take part in and make them feel they are not alone.”

Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager added: “Well Wishers was proud to work with Neonatal colleagues and provide kangaroo teddies for all the babies which represents kangaroo care.

“We also had our mascot Humphrey the Bear make a visit. We hope the babies and families all loved it.”