Oliver David Charles Kranenburg was born at 25 weeks 5 days on 2nd June 2018 measuring 35.5cm and weighing 810 grams at the Mater Mothers Hospital where he became an official Mater Little Miracle.

With more than 2,000 babies each year having to spend time in the Mater Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) where specialist care staff treat and care for up to 80 seriously ill and premature babies every day (and night) our Oliver is one of those.

And being 15 weeks early, Oliver’s daily life in this world  has consisted of many  challenges including a number of blood transfusions, ruptured bowel surgery, morphine pain control, infection and breathing, ECHO and ECG's - throughout all of this, his mum and dad’s love is unrelenting along with his medical care teams, for every one of the 1,440 minutes in each day by the most wonderful individuals you’ll have the opportunity to meet on this earth .

This extraordinary, dedicated and absolutely committed team of experts at NCCU have one objective “to give all babies the best possible start” firstly, they maintain commitment to the objective, they are harmonious in everything they do, they always act as one team, they remain calm at every challenge and are particularly focused on the task, they are competent and very special individuals, which we are and will be forever thankful for.

While there are many worthy causes and charitable foundations in this world seeking support, when you become touched by circumstances within your family, you’re awareness rises to another level and our head immediately locks in our desire to help, while our heart recognises the emotional aspects, it too makes the decision that offering help brings satisfaction and  great people go automatically into help the cause mode, hence we seek your support by donating to Mater Little Miracles 

Our family appreciates your thoughts and support along with our admiration for this fantastic foundation working to give all newly born the best start.

Oliver Update 17/7/18:
On 14th July, Oliver was 6 weeks old and weighing 1590g!  He is doing well.  This week has involved NIPIVV, high temperatures, high heart rates, ECHO, ECG, eye tests and blood tests. Thankfully his ECGO and ECG have come back normal.  Oliver will have weekly eyetests until he is 36-38 weeks old due to being born at an early gestational age.

Oliver Update 5/8/18:

Oliver has had some good weight gain and has over trippled his original birth weight now that he is 9 weeks old (35 weeks corrected).  This week will be his 3rd eye exam (Retinopathy of prematurity)  to determine if the blood vessels are developing normally.  They monitor this on a weekly basis as it can cause vision impairment or blindness – which he is at higher risk due to his gestation and his high  oxygen requirements.  At this stage based on  last weeks exam he has stage 1 which is mildly abnormal blood vessel growth.  This will be monitored closely to see if it will improve with no treatment and develop into normal vison with no further progression or if it will develops further.

Oliver Update 4/9/18:

Oliver has done so well since the last update, now 39 weeks corrected.  He has progressed from NIPIVV, CPAP, High flow and now on low flow in which he will be coming home on for his assisted breathing. Oliver is now 2.28kg and has lovely double chins and chubby cheeks - which is a long way from his birthweight of 810g.  Just today Oliver has has progressed into Special Care from Intensive care which will be our last step before coming home.

Oliver Update 14/9/18:

Oliver was discharged from hospital today and after 105 days oliver is coming home,  We will continue followups with the hospital weekly upon discharge to assess his growth and development and ongoing monioring of his eyes and lungs.

Nick has written an article for the Mater Mothers, Life in the NCIU.  See the attached link for an insight into what it has been like the past few months.

https://www.matermothers.org.au/mothers-news/news/september-2018/life-as-a-nicu-dad

Thanking you in advance for your consideration in supporting Mater Little Miracles. 

David, Vivian, Nick, Louise, Angus & Oliver