Their holiday was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But it would soon turn to into a tragedy when they suffered a devastating loss.
In May this year, Kim Kirzow Spratt and her husband Fred traveled to Portugal for their last holiday together as a childless couple.
They were going on their ‘babymoon’ — a last hoorah before Kim was due to give birth in August.
Kim was pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. The couple were said to be thrilled about having one of each because they would get to experience “the best of both worlds.”
One night Kim started to have cramps.
As it worsened, she was rushed to hospital where the couple were told that Kim — only 24 weeks into her pregnancy — was in labour.
Related content: Things no one tells you about having a premature baby.
After Kim was taken to hospital she was separated from her husband who was not allowed into the labour room.
“Everyone was speaking Portuguese in the delivery room, and I didn’t know what was going on,” she told PEOPLE magazine. “I’ve never felt so alone and frightened.”
After the babies were delivered, they were whisked away for urgent medical attention and intensive care.
Four days later, after Kim and Fred had returned to their hotel room, they received a tragic phone call from the hospital.
Their son Hudson, who was was born weighing just 1 pound 12oz, had died.
“I think of his face that looked just like his daddy’s, and when he held my finger, and it brings tears, but also smiles. He will always be our son, our hero and our champion,” Kim said.
The Spratt’s little girl, Hayden Grace, remains in hospital battling for her life. And her mum and dad are still by her side and will stay in Portugal until she is well enough to fly home.
“The last thing we want is for Hayden to fight this long fight, then have her immune system compromised getting home,” Kim said.
Related content: Watch this incredible premature baby time-lapse video.
Kim and Fred are now able to hold little Hayden for short periods of time.
“We have yet to really feel that overwhelming feeling of happiness – that, ‘Hey, we are parents.’ That’s what our eyes are set on.
“We have gotten very good at being patient and waiting, knowing every day that every moment is a big moment.”
The Spratt’s friends have started a GoFundMe page to help them through the financial difficulties of their ordeal.
According to the fund founder, Vanessa Adams, the money will help pay hospital bills and help make up for the family’s lost income through this period.
They have currently raised more than $46,000.
If this post brings up any issues for you, please contact the Miracle Babies Foundation, Australia’s leading organisation supporting premature and sick newborns and their families on 1300 622 243.
Have you ever had a terrible experience overseas?
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World prematurity day: “This is confronting. This is our baby.”
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Top Comments
This is a tragedy for this family, but...when you are pregnant you need to keep in mind anything can happen at any time. If you want to have a babymoon, go ahead, but it might be a good idea to stay within your country so if something goes wrong you don't end up with huge problems, both financially and health wise. Last yea there was a case in canada where parents when on a baby on to Mexico the baby was born prematurely with problems and they ended up with a huge bill. They were then asking the government to assist and pay the bills.
First and foremost your own health and that of your baby/babies should come first and if you make a decision to go on a fun holiday away from your own country, then don't ask others to fund hospitals bills, repatriation etc etc.
There are funds who will cover pregnant women's but few and far between, this together with airlines imposing strict time rules are for one reason....stuff happens, it's not predictable. People need to start using their brains and not putting their own wants before wellbeing.
Always, always have travel insurance. Most especially if you're pregnant.
Unfortunately most (if not all) travel insurance won't cover babies born whilst travelling.
Of course it doesn't. "Pay for travel insurance so you're covered when your away. Except if you need surgery or have babies or cant get home or scratch your leg or get robbed"
It seems like (all) insurance is there but barely covers anything.
Hi Zepgirl - with your qualifications and experience what do you think of a 24 week pregnant with twins couple going on holiday to Portugal? Aren't the possibilities of problems with a twin pregnancy higher. I assume they live in the UK and it wasn't far to travel. Each to their own I guess. But I wouldn't have done that without thinking of hospital quality, language and family support factored in if things went wrong. Having said all of that I don't want to be having at a go at these parents who are clearly now going through a shit time.
Ooh, I didn't know that - thanks for enlightening me :)