Ena’s story

Meet seven-week-old Ena, Tierney and Curtis’ first baby.

Ena was born on the 25th of September, but her journey began long before that. At Tierney’s 12-week scan, the sonographer noticed an anomaly.   It turned out that Ena had a condition called Gastroschisis, where a baby’s abdominal wall doesn’t fully form during early pregnancy. This leaves a small opening beside the belly button, allowing the intestines to grow outside of the body instead of safely inside the tummy. It’s nobody’s fault, but like many mums, Tierney worried that she should have done something differently.

Tierney was referred to the foetal medicine unit in Cardiff and had weekly scans from 16 weeks to check how their tiny daughter was growing. Despite the worry, Tierney said she always felt she was in the right place, surrounded by professionals who knew exactly how to guide her through.

When it came time for the planned induction, Ena’s heart rate suddenly shot up, and  the medical team made the decision to deliver her by emergency caesarean section at 37 weeks. Tierney remembers feeling strangely calm. She trusted the team fully, but Curtis was terrified at the thought of what lay ahead for their little girl.

At birth, Ena was intubated right away. Tierney doesn’t remember much of those first moments because the shock took over. Ena’s tummy was covered with a silo – a soft, transparent pouch that gently holds the exposed intestines while gravity helps them move back into place. A small bar at the top keeps everything secure until surgeons can carry out the final repair.

Despite her condition, Ena was strong and active and at one point she kicked with such force that her intestines slipped back out before the closure surgery could happen. Tierney said: “We were scared to hold her because we worried it would reopen, but the team were amazing with us.”

At one week old, Ena had her closure operation. Today it has healed beautifully – so well, in fact, that you’d never know she’d undergone such major surgery.

Despite the long days and nights and missing the comfort of home and their dogs, Tierney said: “It’s been a blessing being in NICU. I’ve learnt so much from all the nurses, doctors, and staff.”

For this little family, music therapy became a little island of calm in the busy, clinical world of the neonatal intensive care unit.

Tierney said: “It’s been really lovely. We’ve really enjoyed it, especially Curtis who loves doing the sessions with her. They have a cuddle and he dozes off. You miss so many classes and baby groups when you’re in hospital, so having something like this is even more special.”

“If Ena’s having a difficult day, she really calms down after Becca starts playing and singing. We’ll never get these moments back, so it’s lovely to be able to have some time together just to bond.”

These peaceful bonding moments together on NICU, are made possible thanks to your supporter of our Here for You Appeal.  Funds from the appeal help fund Becca’s work both on NICU and at the children’s hospital,  ensuring families like Tierney and Curtis’s have access to emotional support, bonding opportunities, and a sense of normality during the hardest moments of their lives.

Music therapy doesn’t just soothe babies, it strengthens families bonds, eases trauma, and creates memories that parents can cherish long after the hospital stay ends.