She’s three, and in a different era may not be – meet Sophie

When Sophie Connor was born she weighed less than a jar of Vegemite. But look at her now.

Tucking into an ice cream treat Sophie Connor is the picture of health.

Not bad for a child born at the very edge of survival, with 106 days in hospital as experts fought to keep her alive while her parents April and Stewart agonised with each passing hour.

Sophie was born at just 23 weeks gestation, the point modern medicine deems the cusp of life. She weighted 650gm — less than a Vegemite tub — and measured 31cm, about a standard school ruler.

Her skin was gossamer, her lungs underdeveloped, her chances as slim as her tiny arms.

Adelaide premature baby Sophie Connor shortly after birth.

But brave Sophie defied the odds.

Mrs Conner experienced multiple haemorrhages and was cared for at the Lyell McEwin Hospital then transferred to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for Sophie’s delivery in May 2020.

As a midwife with Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Mrs Connor knew her daughter’s early birth meant there were no guarantees.

At birth, Sophie was immediately intubated as her tiny lungs were not ready to support life outside of the womb.

Then at three weeks she underwent surgery to correct a congenital heart defect that affects the way blood flows through the lungs.

Cards for Sophie Connor.

Sophie Connor is now 3.

The pandemic meant only mum and dad were able to visit Sophie in hospital.

After more than 100 days in hospital under specialised care, Sophie was given the all-clear to go home for the first time and finally meet her big brother, Bailey.

Adelaide premature baby Sophie Connor, now 3, Pictures, supplied by Connor family.

Sophie Connor with brother Bailey.

With chronic lung disease of prematurity and mild gross motor delays, Sophie’s first year at home was spent attending weekly neonatal, cardiology and physiotherapy outpatient appointments, as well as home oxygen therapy.

Since then, she has come on leaps and bounds and while she continues to receive physical support, now aged three she is meeting all the milestones for her age and is a happy youngster.

Mrs Connor said as a midwife she thought she had a better understanding than most about the challenges that lay ahead.

“However, nothing could have prepared me for the journey we’ve been on as a family since then,” she said.

“Watching your tiny baby battle life for such a long period of time, knowing that there is nothing you can do to help, is the worst feeling that a mother can ever experience.

“What helped us though it all was speaking to other families with premature babies. They understood the emotional rollercoaster that comes with having an unwell newborn – not being able to hold them, not knowing if they will survive, and endless worrying about any lifelong impacts.

“On top of that, I also carried immense ‘mum guilt’ every day knowing that I was leaving one of children to be with the other. It was torture.

“My message to any other family with a premature baby is to reach out to the many premmie community and social media groups.

“All of the wonderful staff that looked after Sophie is what saved her, and connecting with other premmie families is what saved Stewart and I.”

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and Northern Adelaide Local Health Network Midwifery Unit Manager in the Special Care Nursery, Monica Ryan said neonatal care has improved the life chances of babies whose odds are often stacked against them.

“When babies are born prematurely, particularly as young as 23 weeks gestation, their organs are too immature to survive,” Ms Ryan said.

“They rely on additional support for a significant period – sometimes life long, to become strong enough to survive on their own.

“As clinicians, it’s hearing stories like Sophie’s that drive us each and every day to provide the very best care and support to our babies and their families within the NICU and Special Care Nursery.”

Babies born at 23 weeks gestational age are among the youngest resuscitated with the prospect of good neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood in more than 50 per cent of those that survive.

Lyell McEwin Hospital provides care for premature babies from 31 weeks gestational age, allowing premmie families in north and north east Adelaide to receive this specialist care closer to home.