Mum ‘petrified’ after last chance baby delivered 15 weeks early weighing 650g

A Queensland mum has relived the “petrifying” moment her baby was delivered 15 weeks premature weighing a tiny 650g in what was her last chance at a successful IVF treatment.

When Lisa Heffernan was told her baby – and her last chance at a successful IVF treatment – was coming 15 weeks early, all she felt was fear.

A year ago, Ms Heffernan was dealing with one of the most “petrifying” moments of her life when her baby Isabella was delivered premature at just 24 weeks and two days, weighing a measly 650g.

“I was prepared in the way of having a pram and cot, but for her arriving in the way that she did, I had no idea,” she said.

After getting some mild cramps at work, Ms Heffernan was struck down with a fever before she and her husband rushed to hospital.

“The gyno looked at some scans and then basically said ‘this baby is coming today and there’s not much we can do about it’.”

After suffering multiple failed pregnancies in the past, Isabella was the couple’s “last egg in the freezer”.

So, when she was told the baby was coming early, the mum-to-be felt just one thing.

“Petrified. Scared. I was lucky that my hubby was there because I knew that it was going to happen quite quickly,” she said.

Lisa and Ken Heffernan with daughter Isabella who celebrates her first birthday as she was born at 24 weeks and two days via c-section at Caboolture Hospital. Picture: Zak Simmonds

After undergoing an emergency C-section at Caboolture Hospital, baby Isabella was then transported to Royal Brisbane Women’s and Children Hospital where she stayed in NICU for 10 and a half weeks.

“You feel like you’re in a snow globe where everything seems fine, and then someone comes and tips you upside down and you’re just trying to figure out what way is up.”

But this month, Isabella celebrated her birthday as a healthy one-year-old, coincidentally in the same month of World Prematurity Day.

“Her first birthday was a huge milestone for us because it was phenomenal that we got that far and that she made it that far.

“It’s all the little things that you tick off along the way. Every little win is a win.”

Isabella Heffernan celebrates her first birthday as she was born at 24 weeks and two days via C-section at Caboolture Hospital. Picture: Zak Simmonds

After brain scans, a hernia surgery, eye tests, and constantly being hooked up to a ventilator, Ms Heffernan said taking Isabella home from the hospital that day felt “gratifying”.

“The fact that she made it as far as she did I think was just the most amazing thing. It actually probably took a couple of weeks for it to sink in for us that she was home and she was going to be OK,” she said.

Along with finding a supportive community, Ms Heffernan said she had simple advice for mums going through the same experiences.

“First take a deep breath. Get yourself a really good notebook and a pen. Write down your questions, and don’t be afraid to ask the same question a hundred times because the nurses will answer them everyday.

“And keep level headed. It’s a minefield, it is scary. It’s a lot to take in and you need all the help and support you can get.”