In December 2022, a West Auckland family were looking forward to a relaxing summer holiday when Mum, Nina, unexpectedly went into early labour and baby Colter was born prematurely at Auckland City Hospital on Christmas Eve.  

Immediately after his birth, Colter began having problems breathing. He was placed on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and given an antibiotic infusion before he was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Colter also required a nasal gastric (NG) feeding tube and an incubator.

Christmas Day passed in a blur for Nina and husband Mike. Without any extended family living in New Zealand they found themselves in the stressful situation of one of them having to balance the needs of their two-year-old, Callum, at home whilst the other stayed in hospital with newborn baby Colter. Having to travel into Auckland City Hospital from West Auckland

On day four Colter was stabilised enough to be transferred to the newly opened Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Waitakere Hospital in West Auckland.

“It was such a blessing to be back in West Auckland and closer to home, it made the juggle a little easier for us as a family without the additional travel time. The amazing facilitates and attentive staff at Waitakere SCBU gave us confidence that Colter was receiving the best possible care. This really helped us settle in and focus on our goal of getting Colter well enough to be discharged home.” Nina.

Baby Colter in the new Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Waitakere Hospital

The family, together at home after baby Colter’s time in the SCBU at Waitakere Hospital.