‘Most important thing someone can do’: Father’s Day for neonatal bubs in Townsville University Hospital

New dads of premature babies currently in Townsville’s neonatal care nursery are being recognised this Father’s Day. Hear from one dad whose son was born at just 33 weeks gestation.

Caught in the limbo between being a parent and being a bystander, dads of newborn babies currently housed in Townsville’s neonatal care nursery are being recognised this Father’s Day by the health service.

Matt Avramovic is just one father who will have a child inside the special care nursery this Sunday – his son, Hugo, was born at just 33 weeks gestation weighing 1.44kg.

Hugo’s arrival took both Matt and his partner, Hannah Veal, by surprise.

“Hugo had a growth restriction, so Hannah had a scan to see how he was going,” Mr Avramovic said.

“During the scan, his heart rate dropped, so she was rushed for an emergency C-section.”

Matt Avramovic with son Hugo in the special care nursery at Townsville University Hospital.

Hugo was delivered on August 3, and remains in the Townsville University Hospital special care nursery.

Mr Avramovic didn’t expect to be marking Father’s Day this year, and said he was overwhelmed at the thought of being celebrated on the day for the first time.

Matt Avramovic with son Hugo in the special care nursery at Townsville University Hospital.

“Being a father has always been something I considered to be the most important thing someone could do,” he said.

“I’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by fantastic fathers my entire life; my dad was an amazing father an always had time for us.”
Ms Veal said her partner has been taking fatherhood in stride.
“We have something nice planned for him to ensure it’s a special day,” Ms Veal said.
“Matt is a natural father.”

A full-term baby is considered 39 – 41 weeks.

Most babies in Australia are born just a bit before full-term at 37 – 41 weeks, while ‘early term’ is considered 37 to 38 weeks, and preterm is 37 to 32 weeks.

Babies born even younger than 32 weeks are considered ‘very’ or ‘extreme’ preterm.

Originally published as ‘Most important thing someone can do’: Father’s Day for neonatal bubs in Townsville University Hospital