Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra were hit with an ‘urgent grief’ after their son Callum was born 11 weeks premature.
The couple discussed their difficult experience on Tuesday’s Morning Live to mark World Prematurity day, admitting they should have asked for support while their son fought for his life in intensive care, after weighing just 2lbs 2oz at birth.
Chris, 44, and Sarra, 37, said that while Callum, now six, had a ‘tough start’ to life due to his early birth, they couldn’t be prouder of their little boy as he’s come on in leaps and bounds since.
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Hard: Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra were hit with an ‘urgent grief’ after their son Callum was born 11 weeks premature
Sarra revealed she and Chris weren’t given any advice while she was pregnant on Callum on the possibility that Callum could be born premature, but said it ‘felt like the impossible’ when she went into labour nearly three months early.
She explained: ‘Six years on, I feel like I’ve learned more and more in what I needed at the time.
‘In hindsight at the time you’re dealing with so many other things but also you’ve got this urgent grief to deal with as well. You don’t think that you need something as well.
Moving: The couple admitted they should have asked for more support while their son fought for his life on a neonatal unit after weighing just 2lbs 2oz at birth (pictured)
Challenging: Sarra revealed she and Chris weren’t given any advice while she was pregnant on Callum on the possibility that Callum could be born premature
‘What I do know now is that you do, the parents need a lot of emotional support and information about what’s happening with your baby, and that’s why World Prematurity Day is so important, it’s starting a conversation.
‘This doesn’t just affect babies, it’s not just mothers, it’s families and it’s the babies growing up as well and it’s about trying to let people know there is support out there. I’m an ambassador for Bliss baby charity, they provide support, and at the time I didn’t know I needed that.’
When Callum was born, Sarra had yet to even form a bump, but she had developed pre-eclampsia and doctors decided that it would be better for both her and their baby if she gave birth.
Looking back, Sarra and Olympic gold medallist Chris said they wished they asked for more support while Callum was in hospital, agreeing with host Kym Marsh it can be such a lonely time for many parents.
Emotional: She said: ‘At the time you’re dealing with so many other things but also you’ve got this urgent grief to deal with as well. You don’t think that you need something as well’
Here for you! Sarra and Chris shared their own support for any parents to a premature child who have been restricted from visiting them in hospital
She added: ‘If I could go back now I’d tell myself you need support, reach out and just ask the question ”can you help me?” because on so many different levels you need the help through such a trauma.
‘Your’e not counselled about prematurity when you’re pregnant, and it feels like the impossible when it happens.
‘But actually you just look around, the neonatal units in the country are amazing. You are not alone. At the time when you’re in that situation you can’t see beyond it.
‘Try not to wish away the time. You’re trying desperately to give your baby hope, but actually you have to turn your face to the light, accept what’s happening, and take joy from every single day you’re in here.’
Support: She said: ‘You’re trying desperately to give your baby hope, but actually you have to turn your face to the light, accept what’s happening’
Sarra and Chris, who married in 2010 and are also parents to daughter Chloe, three, shared their own support for any parents to a premature child who have been restricted from visiting them in hospital due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said: ‘I think it’s distressing at the very best of times and maybe at the worst of times access is being restricted.
‘So what we’re seeing is parents who should get 24 hour access to their baby, they’re often being restricted to just two hours a day which is very trying in different circumstances.
‘It’s trying to get across the point that parents aren’t just visitors in this situation, they are absolutely essential caregivers.’
Beaming: Despite their son’s early birth, Sarra and Chris proudly said that six years on he’s never been better
Despite their son’s early birth, Sarra and Chris proudly said that six years on he’s never been better.
The cycling champion said: ‘You’d never know he had such a tough start he’s doing really well and keeping us busy.’
Sarra added: ‘He’s all we could ever have hoped for he was so small in hsoptial. It is in my wildest dreams that are here now.’
For support & information for those affected by babies born premature or sick visit bliss.org.uk.