#takeover by @Drhammadkhan 1/8: Parents are critical partners in neonatal care but what does it mean to have a child on a neonatal unit, in some cases for weeks or even months? I encourage colleagues to ask parents about their experiences and the emotional impact it has on them.

2/8: I can also recommend the following books written by parents: Surviving Prematurity by the amazing Nadia Leake ( @survivingpreemi) This heart-wrenching book describes her experience of having preterm twins

3/8: it talks of loss and kindness and the importance of good communication. Nadia is a parent champion for FIC (Family integrated Care). Rosemary Kay ( @RosemaryAKay) recounts the life story of her son Saul in the book “Saul:Between two eternities"

4/8: “Saul:Between two eternities" - written from the perspective of Saul it takes us through his journey from birth through to his death and beyond. It gives a unique insight into a parent's perspective of life and death on a neonatal unit.

5/8:Prematurity can have many outcomes,sadly and uncommonly babies die.Most survive and most with little or no long term consequences - some however bear long term scars leading to disability in later life. It would be wrong,however,to confuse disability with poor quality of life

6/8: James Melville-Ross ( @JMRoss
) in his book "Two for Joy" talks about the extraordinary journey his family have been through with two severely disabled ex-preterm twins, and the happiness they have created.

7/8: I have had the privilege of looking after and spending time with families who have experienced extraordinary pain and joy as a result of having a child on a neonatal unit, I have grown as a doctor and as a person as a result of those experiences and am thankful for them.

8/8: Last year I had the privilege of speaking at the @EvelinaLondon remembrance service - these were my words: http://simp.ly/publish/k0ZNxL