Amy Drinkwater shares premature babies Mackay Base Hospital experience

From nurses ready to take a call at any hour to corrections officers playing a unique role, we spoke to some of the team helping North Queensland’s littlest babies and a mum who has had a front row seat.

Dysart twins Hunter and Ryder Hill born at 32 weeks gestation at Mackay Base Hospital on October 14, 2022. Picture: Contributed

A Dysart mum who experienced the “nerve-wracking” rollercoaster of having a premature baby has gone on to have another two, this time identical twins.

Amy Drinkwater’s sons, Hunter and Ryder, arrived eight weeks early on October 14, following in their older sister Willow’s stead who was born at 35 weeks gestation.

“One was hard enough, but this time there’s two of them,” the mum of four said.

“It’s always a bit scary; nerve-wracking.

“But hopefully they’ll stay in a bit of a routine after spending these early weeks in the nursery.”

Dysart parents Amy Drinkwater and Tyrell Hill with their premature twin boys, Hunter and Ryder, who were born at the Mackay Base Hospital on October 14, 2022. Picture: Contributed

The twins spent a month in Mackay Base Hospital’s Special Care Nursery, a place nurse of 40 years Patti Matthews knows intimately.

“We must always be prepared,” Ms Matthews said.

“We could get a phone call at any minute to tell us that a mum is in labour, and we have to be all set up to receive them.

“Our babies can be here for 100 days and we work in with the parents.”

Mackay Base Hospital special care nursery nurse Patti Matthews has 40 years' experience caring for premature babies and their families. Picture: Contributed

Ms Patti said babies born under 32 weeks went to Townsville with the Mackay team striving to care for families and their babies including by providing meals.

“We have really sick babies born here,” she said.

“We often have mothers come to see us after they’ve left because some really strong bonds have been created.

“We get Christmas cards and photos (from families) going back 10 years, just thanking us.”

QPS Community Corrections’ Krysten Butcher gifted 68 hand knit beanies to Mackay Base Hospital’s Kristi Algate. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Also going above and beyond to care for premature babies in Mackay were community corrections’ officers.

They presented a collection of hand-knitted beanies to the Mackay Hospital Foundation on Wednesday in time for World Prematurity Day on November 17.

Dysart mum of four Amy Drinkwater with her premature twin boys, Hunter and Ryder, who were born at the Mackay Base Hospital on October 14, 2022. Picture: Contributed

“Mackay District office founded this project as another way to give back to the community,” a Queensland Corrections Services spokeswoman said.

“This project touched closely to both the staff and some clients as a great way to support our local hospital.”

Tegan Mackenzie, Kristi Algate, Krysten Butcher, Kylie Houston and Rochelle Horrobin at Mackay Base Hospital. Photo: Zoe Devenport

More than 1380 babies were born at the Mackay Base last year with the Australian Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance stating almost one in 10 Queensland babies were delivered preterm.

Ms Drinkwater, who has since returned home to Dysart, said Willow, almost three, and River, almost 18 months, were “so in love” with their little brothers.

“(They) have so many kisses for both of them.”