Unexpected arrival
Fraternal twins Maggie and Billie didn’t have an easy birth. Their mother Zoe was enjoying what seemed like a normal twin pregnancy when she woke with pain in the middle of the night, and everything changed.
Swift journey to Melbourne
Zoe’s husband rushed her to the hospital and returned home to take care of their other child, Paddy. Before she knew it, Zoe was in an ambulance travelling from Geelong to Melbourne, shedding tears with the paramedics. She delivered early at just 26 weeks and six days, with no time to prepare or arrange childcare.
Two days later, little girls Maggie and Billie arrived, with Maggie weighing merely 700 grams. That’s when the family checked into Ronald McDonald House North Fitzroy at Casa Elda Vaccari, beginning a rocky 11-week journey far from home.
Finding a lifeline
As the family faced daily train trips, expensive hotels and imposing on friends for months, the House felt like a lifeline. They quickly adapted to a new normal at the House, with Paddy visiting on weekends and Zoe’s husband joining when he could.
“It really did feel like home. The rooms were so comfortable, always clean, and being able to cook for yourself was really nice.”
Building community
Zoe’s advice to future families at Ronald McDonald House?
“Chat to other families while you’re there, sit down and have dinner.”
If you’re feeling alone, head to the dining room for connection and support. For Zoe, some of these conversations led to lasting friendships.
Despite their early arrival, both girls had a smooth NICU journey, needing blood transfusions and antibiotics, but remarkably, no surgery. After 78 nights, the family finally returned home.