Mums of premature babies heal through marathon funding life-saving care

Two mothers, each pregnant with triplets, eight years apart share very two different stories.

Two mothers have shared their stories of giving birth to premature triplets and how they are saving the lives of future babies. Picture: Supplied

Two mothers share a strikingly similar story of premature birth with vastly different outcomes.

Sophie Smith celebrated her boys’ seventeenth birthday last weekend by hitting the pavement with hundreds of families and children touched by premature birth.

“I will always grieve the loss of Henry, Jasper and Evan and wonder at the young men they would have grown to be,” she said.

“I miss them every day, but I am so proud of what their lives have achieved.”

She lost all three of her, and late husband Ash’s, first born sons within the space of just 82 days in 2006.

Ash and Sophie Smith who started the Running for Premature Babies foundation after losing their triplets. Picture: Supplied

Since then, over $6 million has been raised by the charity built in their honour, Running for Premature Babies, and over 125 pieces of state-of-the-art lifesaving neonatal equipment donated to Australian hospitals on their behalf.

They estimate it has saved the lives of close to 9,000 babies.

Emma-May Palmer met Sophie at a party a month ago and was instantly overcome with emotion as she shared her story.

“I bawled my eyes out because I was able to speak to somebody that kind of understood,” the Adelaide mum said.

Emma-May Palmer gave birth prematurely to her two daughters Ivy and Quinn. Picture: Supplied

She will be walking 100km in honour of their sister Aurora who was born stillborn. Picture: Supplied

Ms Palmer was 26 weeks pregnant when she received the call from her doctor telling her one of her triplets had died in utero.

“It was just a roller coaster of emotions because I was grieving for Aurora but trying to stay positive for Ivy and Quinn.

“It was gut wrenching trying to grieve while trying to remain positive.”

Ivy and Quinn were born prematurely at 34 weeks and spent their first weeks of life in the care of the neonatal staff at Adelaide’s Flinders Private care hospital.

About 26,000 babies are born prematurely in Australia each year. Sophie Smith, pictured with her late husband Ash, lost their three sons after premature birth. Picture: Supplied

Ms Palmer could not speak highly enough of the care and support her family received during their time at the special care nursery.

“Today a baby born at 24 weeks, with access to the kind of equipment that Running for Premature Babies provides, has a 75 cent chance of survival,” Ms Smith said.

“Back in 2006 my boys, born at this gestation, had a 50 per cent chance.”

About 26,000 babies are born prematurely in Australia each year, with many needing to spend their first days, weeks and even months in a NICU.

Every November, Running for Premature Babies hosts a marathon challenge to raise funds for the life-saving equipment premature babies need to have a shot at life.

Ms Palmer will be walking 100km over the month of November in honour of her daughter Aurora, with Ivy and Quinn donning matching merch to walk beside her.

The Premmie Marathon Challenge runs for the month of November. Picture: Supplied

For their family, the marathon is more than a chance to help other families touched by premature birth, it’s a chance to open up a dialogue and share their stories.

“When we lost our little boys we became aware of the silence in our community around baby loss and the difficulty people have in knowing how to respond to such a tragedy,” Ms Smith said.

“I’m proud to give grieving parents an opportunity to speak out about their babies’ names and share their stories.

“People have told me how our charity has given them the chance to share their grief with others and how running in their baby’s name to give other babies a better chance has helped them heal.”

The Premmie Marathon Challenge runs for the month of November and anyone can sign up to join here.