Julia Toivonen, the owner of Australia’s premier online support group for the parents of premature infants, speaks to us today on Brisbane Premmies about her journey through the birth of her first son Ronan and the creation of her website.
Ronan was born at 27 weeks gestation, where you given a reason for his early arrival?
At the time it was “one of those things”. We believed that i had gone into spontaneous labour which resulted in my membranes rupturing. Through the pregnancy with my 2nd son Tristan last year they came …

Our tiny little girl entered the world remarkably at 24 weeks and 2 days, weighing 669 grams. Scoring an apgar of 8, and then rising to 9 at 5 minutes, Rachel showed the staff she wanted to fight from the very beginning. We already knew she wanted to live.
This is how I first saw Rachel. She was rushed to NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) as soon as she delivered herself. I have to say “delivered herself” because she was born quickly, face up, head first and …

Azuah Rainbow. Born into Mummy’s hands in the shower at home at 2.30am 20th April 2009. Gorgeous and perfect tiny girl. Died at 2.50am in peace and love with Mummy, Daddy & Jenny present. Bluqi slept through the night. Mother’s health good. Family are strong. Love and hugs from us all.
Azuah Rainbow will be cremated at 11am on 28th April. Buddist Nuns will be present to chant mantras. If you wish to light a candle, paint a rainbow, take a walk or shed a tear at this time .. Please …

I recently had the honor of speaking at the RBWH Foundations high tea launch of their “Royal Mums” book. They wanted a first hand account of life in a NICU so I was asked to tell my story, well our story really because, if you’ve had a child in the NICU or SCN, it really is a joint venture shared around your family–or at least it should be.
The story I read that day was sort of the abridged version. There’s only so much you can say about a five month …