Facing the Unimaginable
When Vanessa found out she was pregnant, she knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But she never imagined just how terrifying it would become.
Bring comfort and support to families facing the unimaginable.
Vanessa's Story
Noël was Vanessa’s miracle baby; conceived through IVF after years of hope and heartache. From the very beginning, doctors warned her that he might not survive. But she held onto hope.
Then, at just 26 weeks pregnant, Vanessa’s world turned upside down. She was rushed from her home in Palmerston North to Wellington Hospital with severe pre-eclampsia.
Doctors told her she was at risk of a stroke and that her baby’s life was in danger. Just days later, her condition worsened. The medical team made the urgent decision to deliver Noël via emergency caesarean.
Weighing only 634 grams, he was fragile and vulnerable, fighting for every breath in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Vanessa remained in hospital for several weeks after Noël’s birth. Meanwhile, Noël spent nearly two and a half months in Wellington Hospital growing strong enough to be transferred back home to Palmerston North.
Throughout it all, Vanessa faced much of this terrifying journey alone. Her partner was back home caring for her mother, who had dementia, meaning he couldn’t be by her side often. The days were long, exhausting, and overwhelming.
| “I was aware of babies that didn’t survive. That was my biggest fear—that Noël wouldn’t make it.”
A Lifeline in the Darkest Moments
That’s when Chaplain Wendy came into Vanessa’s life. At first, Vanessa wasn’t sure what to expect—she feared religious pressure at a time when she was already overwhelmed. But Wendy offered something entirely different. Instead of expectations or pressure, she offered a listening ear, a comforting presence, and a safe space to breathe.
| “It’s very tough when you’re facing the unknown,” Vanessa recalls. “A normal
day-to-day life doesn’t include dealing
with life and death stuff. Wendy helped
me cope with that.”
During her long hospital stay, Wendy became Vanessa’s greatest source of support. Some days, they talked about grief, fear, and hope. Other days, they talked about everyday things—like chickens! On one particularly tough day, Wendy showed up with a simple chia seed pudding from the café. A small act of kindness that meant everything.
| “She gave me the space I needed to ground myself and feel like I was ‘just a normal mum."
A Safe Space for Families in Crisis
For so many parents like Vanessa, the hospital can feel isolating. Medical teams focus on physical health, but the emotional and spiritual toll can be just as overwhelming.
| That’s where your generosity makes all the difference.
Chaplains provide more than just religious support—they offer a compassionate presence, a listening ear, and a source of strength during the hardest moments of life.
As Vanessa puts it:
| “Many people think chaplains are only there for people of faith, but that’s not the case. It’s a service of humanity and connection, and it’s vital. Just knowing someone is there makes all the difference.”
