Longford family grateful for exceptional care their twins received at National Maternity Hospital Foundation

The National Maternity Hospital Foundation, in partnership with Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment, marked World Prematurity Day with a special event welcoming families of children who were born prematurely at the hospital.

Each year, over 4,500 babies are born prematurely in Ireland, with 1,202 babies born prematurely at the National Maternity Hospital last year.

Edward and Patrick McGlynn of Longford are two of these babies. They were born prematurely in 2011 by emergency C-section at just 24 weeks +5. Weighing only 700g and 525g respectively, the twins were immediately transferred to the National Maternity Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and put on ventilators.

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Edward underwent surgery at two weeks old to close a hole in his heart and was taken off the ventilator on day 29. After spending over three months in The NMH and undergoing additional surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, he was discharged to Mullingar at the end of August. By the end of September, after four and a half months, Edward finally went home.

Patrick's journey was even more challenging. He spent the first six weeks of his life in the NICU, remaining on a ventilator. Several months in Temple Street followed, where he had a tracheostomy inserted. It wasn't until just before Christmas, when he was just over seven months old, that Patrick was able to go home. His tracheostomy remained in place for over three years, during which time he underwent several surgeries to stretch his airway. In October 2022, Patrick underwent successful surgery to reconstruct his airway.

The experience of having premature babies is incredibly stressful for parents. The constant alarms and the sight of their tiny babies on ventilators in the NICU can be terrifying. However, the McGlynn family found solace in the dedication and professionalism of the staff at The NMH. They were guided, supported, and encouraged every step of the way, included in their children's care whenever possible.

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The McGlynns' story is one of gratitude for the exceptional care they received at The NMH. "As parents, you could sometimes feel helpless," they shared, "but the professionalism and kindness of staff give you a sense of security that all is under control and that everything possible is being done to help your child."

Today, the McGlynn family remains forever indebted to the staff for their unwavering dedication and care - not just towards Edward and Patrick, but also towards them as parents. Their story serves as a testament to the incredible work being done at the NMH.

As part of the sponsorship, Bepanthen will provide vital support to the NMH Foundation for the pioneering work taking place in The NMH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a world-class facility renowned for its dedication to saving and nurturing the lives of babies born too soon. The collaboration will focus on supporting cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, and developing new treatments and solutions to help premature infants to survive and thrive.

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Bepanthen Nappy Care Ointment, which celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2024, is a breathable barrier cream designed to protect vulnerable skin from irritants and other causes of nappy rash.

Executive Director of The NMH Foundation, commented, “We are delighted to partner with Bepanthen in this meaningful initiative, particularly as we celebrate World Prematurity Day. The sponsorship funds will help us to accelerate vital research and innovation at The NMH, giving premature babies a better chance at survival and a healthier future. Together, we are committed to advancing neonatal care and ensuring every baby born too soon gets the best possible care.”