After three long years, our dream of becoming parents finally came true. Through IVF, we conceived our Billie — a much-wanted and deeply loved baby girl. From the very beginning, she was strong, thriving through pregnancy, and we couldn’t wait to meet her.

But in the moments before her arrival, everything changed. Billie suffered distress during birth, the cause of which will never be known, and her tiny body was deprived of oxygen for too long. Despite the incredible efforts of the NICU team, the damage was too severe, and our beautiful Billie was unable to survive.

For 10 precious days, we lived in a world that revolved around Billie. The Women's NICU became our home, a place where every second with her was cherished. The doctors, nurses, and staff (affectionately known as 'Billie’s Besties') didn’t just care for Billie; they cared for us as a family. They held space for our love, our grief, and our need to make memories in the time we had. They helped us hold her, bathe her, dress her, read to her, and whisper all the love we had carried for so long. They made sure she only ever knew warmth, comfort, and the deepest love from everyone around her. 

Saying goodbye to Billie was the hardest thing we will ever do, but we will always be grateful for the compassion that surrounded us. Now, through Billie’s Besties, we honour her by giving back to the place that gave us those irreplaceable moments — supporting The Women's NICU so other families facing the unimaginable are met with the same love, care, and dignity.