Mums get baking for Bliss baby charity

A mum whose daughter was born 11 weeks early is organising a cake sale to raise money for the premature baby charity Bliss.
jpco-12-2-14 Mums preparing for bake sale for premature baby charity. L-R, Tammy and Dominic, Heidi and Genesis, Sue, Annabelle and Lucas, Suzy and Molly   (Pic by Jon Rigby)jpco-12-2-14 Mums preparing for bake sale for premature baby charity. L-R, Tammy and Dominic, Heidi and Genesis, Sue, Annabelle and Lucas, Suzy and Molly   (Pic by Jon Rigby)
jpco-12-2-14 Mums preparing for bake sale for premature baby charity. L-R, Tammy and Dominic, Heidi and Genesis, Sue, Annabelle and Lucas, Suzy and Molly (Pic by Jon Rigby)

Heidi Jordan, from Tilgate, gave birth almost a year ago to baby Genesis at 29 weeks and her life and the baby’s were in danger.

She will hold a coffee and cake sale on Friday (February 14) at Maidenbower Park Community Club, where she has met other mums in her position.

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Heidi, 32, said: “Having a premature baby is something that doesn’t get talked about, but since I’ve had her I’ve met a lot of people with premature babies.

jpco-12-2-14 Baby Genesisjpco-12-2-14 Baby Genesis
jpco-12-2-14 Baby Genesis

“A normal birth is what’s expected. Even in hospital they don’t talk about it. In antenatal there’s nothing about premature babies or about Bliss.

“It’s like where cancer was 10 years ago. People don’t understand and they don’t know what to say in case they upset you, which is a shame. People would say, ‘What problems has she got?’ And ,‘What did you do to make her come early?’.

“Unfortunately she came early because I was so ill. I had morning sickness all the way through. I was hospitalised for rehydration and then my kidneys decided to pack up.

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“I was on death’s door when they delivered her. My mum was told that I wouldn’t make it and neither would she.

“To look at her you would think she’s a bit small, but you wouldn’t think she was born at 29 weeks.

“She just has little health problems. Reflux and a problem with larynx, which causes her food problems and she doesn’t gain weight very easily. She’s the size of a six month old. She can sit and crawl.”

Bliss has made a difference to her life and Heidi wants others to benefit too. “Without Bliss I wouldn’t have had the information I’d had. Information you don’t get with the NHS. You can talk to mums in the same situation and it’s all free to access. Without Bliss it wouldn’t be there.

“If we could raise £200, even £100 I would be happy.”

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The mums will be selling cake and coffee in aid of Bliss from noon to 4pm on Friday and the club in Maidenbower Drive. For more information about Bliss go to www.bliss.org.uk or call the free advice helpline on 0500 618140.

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