Jye and Ashlee Baker

One year ago today, we unexpectedly welcomed our beautiful baby Jack into the world. He was born at 24 weeks. 

In memory of Jack, we have decided to raise funds to donate a Cuddle Cot to the hospital where he was born. A Cuddle Cot is a cooling system that has been designed to fit within a small cot. This effective system allows for babies who have passed away to remain with their families so that they are not required to be cooled in a mortuary environment. Cuddle Cots enable family members to travel to visit and meet the baby, siblings to meet one another and even gives parents the option of taking their baby home to lay in their own cot, in their own room or travel in their own car seat. We would have loved to have one of these while we were saying goodbye to Jack.

Before we ask you to consider donating to this wonderful cause, we would like to share our story with you. During the pregnancy, it was picked up that I had a low lying placenta. We thought that it would be fine, but would need a c-section to deliver our baby safely. At the 20 week scan, it was discovered that I had placenta accreta, and needed to see a specialist in Canberra. I was booked to see them on the 20th of July, my 31st birthday. On the 16th of July, I haemorrhaged at home and was rushed to hospital. From Tumut, I was sent straight to Canberra. Once we got there and saw a specialist, we were told that we were having our baby that night. It was a blur from there, and I think that we were still in shock. The next day, after a marathon 7 hour surgery (classic incision c-section, discovery of placenta percreta, hysterectomy and severe blood loss), I woke to Jye by my bedside, telling me that we had a son. Over the next few days we went between the ICU and the NICU unit, spending time with Jack. During this time, I had another surgery. After 3 days, Jack’s poor little body could no longer deal with being born as a micro-premmie. We said goodbye to Jack after having him baptised, surrounded by our family. We stayed in the hospital for a few more days while I underwent more treatment for my blood and recovery. We spent time up in the Angel Room, with our angel baby. Having a cuddle cot would have made it easier to spend more time with him, not just when the Angel room was available.

We are aiming to raise money to fund a Cuddle Cot and we would welcome any contribution that you could make to help support the families who experience the heartbreaking loss of their baby.

A Cuddle Cot is a cooling system that has been designed to fit within a small cot. This effective system allows for babies who have passed away to remain with their families so that they are not required to be cooled in a mortuary environment. Cuddle Cots enable family members to travel to visit and meet the baby, siblings to meet one another and even gives parents the option of taking their baby home to lay in their own cot, in their own room or travel in their own car seat. 

It’s about giving parents choices and reassuring them that they can spend as much time as they like with their baby.