Mum writes book about two-year-old son's premature birth in Grimsby to support neonatal units

A mum whose son was born 12 weeks early at a Grimsby hospital has written a book about the first three months of his life, with all profits going to neonatal care units.

Charlotte Robinson, a mum-of-three, was rushed to the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby from Airedale after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia when she was 28 weeks pregnant.

Her book, Three Months of Hope, is an account of how she, her husband Dave, their son Theodore and their family and friends coped with the three months that followed.

Although it was more than 100 miles from the family's home, the Grimsby unit was the closest Level 3 neonatal unit with an available bed.

A Level 3 unit can care for babies born before 32 weeks.

Charlotte and Dave were taken to Grimsby by blue-light ambulance.

That night, Theodore was born, 12 weeks early and weighing 2lb 11oz.

He spent the first two weeks of his life on the Grimsby neonatal intensive care unit, before being transferred to the care of neonatal surgeons at Leeds General Infirmary.

Over the three months, Theodore had three major bowel surgeries and heart surgery.

He is now two years old, and Charlotte felt the time was right to share the family's experience to help others in the same position.

Writing the book

Charlotte said: "When we finally brought Theodore home, I remember saying that one day I wanted to write a book about our journey."

She said: "At the time, I believed I was coping. I told myself we had simply done what any parent would do - we survived, we carried on and we looked forward. But trauma has a way of staying with you, even when life moves on."

She said: "It's taken me two years to find the emotional strength to write this book. For the first time I have truly allowed myself to talk about what happened, to acknowledge how deeply it affected me and to accept that it's okay to carry those emotions."

Care on the Grimsby unit

Speaking about the family's time on the Grimsby unit, Charlotte said: "The nurses and doctors were extraordinary. In the middle of what felt like a nightmare, they remained calm, compassionate and endlessly patient."

She said: "They took the time to explain every monitor, every beep, every alarm, helping us to understand what all the unfamiliar sounds meant."

She said: "Their reassurance didn't take away our fear, but it gave us something we desperately needed in those early days - a little understanding and a reason for hope."

She said: "I will always be so grateful to the team in Grimsby. It's a lovely little unit and it's where Theodore was born, where we had our first cuddle, and where he met his older sister and brother, Lucy and Ellis."

Charlotte has donated a copy of the book to the Grimsby neonatal unit.

A message to other parents

Charlotte said: "I hope that for parents reading this while still living their own neonatal journey, it brings you comfort and reminds you that you are not alone - even on the days when it feels like the world has stopped around you."

She said: "Your story won't be the same as ours. Every baby, every family, and every journey is different. But one thing I know for certain is this; you are stronger than you think. You will discover a resilience you never knew you had, and your love for your child will carry you through moments you once believed were impossible."

How to buy the book

Three Months of Hope is available from Amazon UK in paperback, hardback and on Kindle.

All profits will be donated to the neonatal care units which cared for Theodore.