Walk For Prems: Kathryne Tabb’s son Charlie born at 28 weeks

A Lara mum was left ‘freaking out’ when her baby was born weighing a little more than 1kg at just 28 weeks.

A Lara mum has described the moment her son born at 28 weeks was whisked away from her after birth as heart wrenching.

Kathryne Tabb, 39, was being closely monitored during her pregnancy with Charlie due to high blood pressure.

The mum-of-three’s middle child was also born premature at 33 weeks, but she said it was not known if baby Charlie would follow suit.

When she was almost 28 weeks pregnant with Charlie, she started going into labour at home while away from work on sick leave.

Mrs Tabb went to Geelong hospital, before being transferred to Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital in St Albans in an ambulance.

“I was in labour for nearly two and a half days,” she said.

“I was freaking out a little bit but because I had high blood pressure I couldn’t get too anxious.

Kathryne Tabb with Charlie, four months old, who was born at 28 weeks. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I did control myself, I had good support.”

Charlie was born weighing just over 1kg on June 8, and staff ran tests and placed him in a humidicrib.

Mrs Tabb said she was exhausted.

“I wasn’t able to see him for about five hours (after the birth) … it was pretty heart wrenching because I just wanted to be with him,” she said.

Mrs Tabb said Charlie spent seven weeks at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s and was then transferred to Geelong hospital for almost three weeks.

While Charlie was hospitalised Mrs Tabb and her husband also juggled maintaining a sense of normality for their two teenagers.

Kathryne and Matt Tabb with Charlie, four months old, who was born at 28 weeks. Picture: Alison Wynd

Charlie experienced “a whole list” of health complications associated with being born premature, but these had now resolved, Mrs Tabb said.

Mrs Tabb said he still had lung disease but she had been told he would grow out of this.

Mrs Tabb described her experience as scary, but said she had to remain calm for her baby.

“Some days were worse than others like (when) Charlie was sick — it’s not easy walking away and you do end up in tears,” she said.

“But the majority of the time it was okay, the support was just amazing.”

Charlie, now four months old, was released from hospital in mid-August.

“I’m very blessed he’s going to be okay,” Mrs Tabb said.

“He’s growing, he feeds really well … everything they expect him to do he’s doing.”

On October 23, the Walk for Prems will be held in six locations, including Melbourne, raising awareness for the 48,000 babies born sick or premature in Australia each year.

Mrs Tabb’s family will be doing the walk in Melbourne alongside friends.

A virtual option is also available.

www.walkforprems.org.au

Originally published as Walk For Prems: Kathryne Tabb’s son Charlie born at 28 weeks