Sam + Otis: IVF, Pregnancy Complications and a Premature Birth at 29 Weeks
From Kiwi Birth Tales by Jordyn Kayes
May 5, 2026 · 49 min · Season 1 · Episode 261
About this episode
Samantha shares her IVF journey and the challenges faced during her pregnancy, including a premature birth and NICU experience.
This episode of Kiwi Birth Tales is proudly sponsored by Woolworths NZ in support of the Little Miracles Trust. In this episode of Kiwi Birth Tales, I speak to Samantha - we focus on her second pregnancy, which she conceived through IVF. Her pregnancy was not without challenges and they spent a lot of time in NICU as Otis was born just before 30 weeks. Some of the topics we cover: IVF journey and embryo transfer Early pregnancy after IVF Bleeding in early pregnancy (week 10) Subchorionic hematoma and pregnancy complications Heavy bleeding at 13 weeks Increased risk factors identified during pregnancy Amniocentesis and genetic testing Anatomy scan and ongoing monitoring Pregnancy anxiety after complications Hospital stays during pregnancy Premature labour at 28 weeks Emergency response and hospital admission Birth of a premature baby Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) experience Oxygen support and respiratory challenges in newborns Feeding challenges and NICU care Emotional impact of NICU on parents Transition from NICU to Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) Preparing to take baby home after NICU Life after NICU and early newborn period Long-term development and health outcomes Your…
People in this episode
Host: Jordyn Kayes
Guest: Samantha
Topics covered
- IVF journey
- pregnancy complications
- premature birth
- NICU experience
- mental health in pregnancy
- parenting challenges
Keywords
- IVF
- pregnancy complications
- premature birth
- NICU
- mental health
- parenting
- amniocentesis
- subchorionic hematoma
Sponsors
Woolworths NZ
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Little Miracles Trust, Fertility Associates, Plunket, Little Shadow
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