SHE’S GOT YOU, BABE
Dawn’s craft saviours!
Initially, expectant mum-oftwins Haylee Morris was sceptical about how much an octopal could help.
But while facing the reality of losing one of her babies, the idea of the surviving twin having something to snuggle in the neonatal unit gave the 29-year-old a bit of comfort.
The Waitomo mum and husband Tyler (27) were told their daughter Olivia had severe growth restrictions in utero and to expect her to be stillborn, not making it past 26 weeks’ gestation.
Defying the odds, Olivia and her brother Levi were born at 33 weeks, weighing just 871g and 2267g respectively, and spent nine weeks in Waikato Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“The twins had their octopals in their incubator from day three. Levi would often sleep on top of his one and Olivia, who was a shocker at pulling tubes, would hold its tentacles,” tells Haylee.
“I felt that when they were
holding their octopals they were much calmer and there was definitely less beeping from the machines.”
Haylee’s older daughter Charlotte (7) was also given the aid, so she didn’t feel left out.
“I was so incredibly touched by that. While I was staying in Hamilton to be close to the NICU, Charlotte would ring me and say every time she hugs her octopal, it’s sending hugs to Levi and Olivia to get them bigger.”
The twins celebrated their first birthday in July and are now thriving.
“They still cuddle the octopals when they’re teething and Charlotte wants to learn how to make them when she’s older to help other babies.”