LITTLE Lewis Pengilly wasn’t born yesterday; but he should have been.
Born at just 27 week’s gestation on December 15, the little fighter was a big surprise for his Mandurah parents, Nicole and Daniel, who just weeks ago could hold their baby in the palm of a hand.
Lewis weighed just 895 grams at birth after his sudden arrival three months ago.
“We don’t know why he came early,” Nicole said.
“I hadn’t considered a premature birth.”
With a due date of March 13, Lewis has a three-month head-start on life.
But it hasn’t been an easy journey.
Hooked up to tubes and machines for the first eight weeks of his life, and with a handprint no bigger than a 50-cent piece, Lewis has already fought battles most babies never have to face.
He has only been home now for 10 days but the little boy is thriving, according to his mum who said her baby boy now weighed 2.9 kilograms.
“He’s got so much spunk and personality.”
- Nicole Pengilly
“It was such a traumatic birth,” Nicole said.
“But he’s amazing; a real little fighter.
“He’s got so much spunk and personality.”
Shocked with having to deal with a premature baby, Nicole said she couldn’t have coped without the support she has received from the community.
After reaching out to other mums in a similar situation, Nicole found there was a desperate need for more information for parents of premature babies.
It was this that prompted her to become involved in a Facebook page called Mandurah Miracles Mums Support Group.
“The ladies [on this site] have really helped me,” Nicole said.
"I couldn’t have done this without them.”
Still struggling with a lack of sleep common to mothers of newborns, Nicole said once she had more time on her hands she planned to offer support to other new mums with premature babies.
She highlighted Wear Green for Premmies Day on April 9 and said she planned to celebrate with baby Lewis.
“I don’t know why this happened,” she said.
“I have no idea.
“But look at him now.
“He’s gorgeous, and he’s going to be a big boy.”
