Life Flight

Jessica and Colby were terrified and very emotional, as they boarded a flight bound for Wellington, hours away from their first baby.

When Jess went into labour 6 weeks early, Blenheim Hospital’s neonatal care unit was at capacity – they had no choice but to fly to Wellington. Facing their first childbirth – let alone a premature one – was daunting.

It was very traumatic and quick,” Jess says. “With little warning, I was at the airport boarding the plane to Wellington. Once at the hospital, I went straight into the delivery room. At 34 weeks pregnant. I hadn’t even packed my hospital bag!

Soon after, beautiful Baby Axle arrived in the world and was raced to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“I was so far from home and so overwhelmed,” Jess says. “Axle was six weeks early and needed to be closely monitored, so I also had to wait for cuddles.”

The following weeks were incredibly challenging. Axle was so little, suffering from jaundice, and needed to get stronger. Each day, Jess and Colby sat by his incubator, trying to bond with him as best they could but, unable to hold their baby for more than a few minutes.

They longed to be back in Blenheim surrounded by the love and support of friends and family at the toughest time in their lives.

“Then Colby had to go back to work, I was going to be in Wellington all by myself with a premmie baby. I could barely walk, barely lift anything, I was about to feel very alone.”

Fortunately, later that day, Jess received a thrilling call. A social worked from Blenheim Hospital said: “If I can get you home today, can you be ready?”

It was your kind support of the Life Flight Air Ambulance plane that could bring Axle, in his 140kg incubator, home to Blenheim with Jess and Colby. There, he could continue receiving the care he needed in his local community.

Within hours, the dedicated Life Flight crew were carefully wheeling tiny newborn Axle onto the tarmac at Wellington Airport, ready for the journey home.

Jess and Colby were so worried about getting baby Axle safely home – he’d already been through so much.

But they quickly realised they needn’t be anxious. Your kind support gave Axle the best possible care during the flight. The Life Flight crew’s expert training and specialised equipment ensures they can provide the best care for sick and premature babies like little Axle.

Jess will never forget the care and professionalism of the Air Ambulance crew that day. The crew knew how emotional the experience was for Jess and Colby and did everything possible to put their minds at ease.

“The crew were nice to us. They made us feel comfortable and explained things to us when we asked,” Jess says.

“They were happy, they were real, they were so warm and kind. It was amazing.”

Back on home turf in Blenheim, Axle and Jess spent a week in Wairau Hospital where Axle continued to grow stronger. Finally, they day came that they could leave – and it happened to be the day before Jess’ birthday.

Taking Axle home was the best possible birthday gift,” Jess says. After such a rough start to motherhood, I’m so grateful that you brought us home safely with our baby Axle, where we needed to be.