With his chubby cheeks, bright blue eyes and big smile, Hollie and Josh Wright’s beautiful baby boy is the picture of health. It’s hard to believe that in February, Dustin – known affectionately as Dusty – was born weighing just 2.4lbs after Hollie went into labour 12 weeks early.
Hollie and professional footballer Josh, the brother of former TOWIE stars Mark Wright and Jess Wright, were on a walk with their dogs and baby son, Josh, who was nearly a year old at the time, when Hollie started getting contractions.
“We thought, ‘Surely not this early’, as Hollie was only 27 weeks pregnant,” recalls Josh, 33. Later that night they went to the Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow, Essex, and were told Hollie was already 5cm dilated and in early labour.
Josh says, “They gave her injections – steroids and antibiotics – to try to delay the birth. I was petrified and Hollie was in a lot of pain, but the treatment gave her an extra 72 hours before our little boy arrived.”
Hollie, 31, adds, “It was terrifying. Josh has always been such a supportive husband and even he was lost for words. We knew nothing about neonatal care for babies and didn’t know what to expect.”
For the couple, it was the beginning of daily visits to see their tiny son, who was in an incubator, hooked up to wires to monitor his vital signs and a nasogastric feeding tube.
“We were there day in, day out, together and at separate times for eight weeks,” says Hollie. “We also had Josh to think about, so it was really hard.”
The most worrying time for the couple came halfway through Dustin’s eight-week stay, when doctors told them he needed a blood transfusion.
“Every time he was in discomfort, his oxygen levels dropped and it was happening too often,” explains Josh.
However, the transfusion proved to be a turning point for Dustin. “The next day we didn’t recognise him,” says Hollie. “He looked so bright and well and, from that day, he got stronger.”
The couple say they feel fortunate to have big, close-knit families who rallied round to help, including Hollie’s sisters Katie and Sophie, and Josh’ sisters Jess and Natalya and his brother Mark, who’s married to actress Michelle Keegan.
Josh says, “We all look out for each other and my brother is my best friend; we couldn’t be closer. And, of course, kids bring you even closer.”
Hollie adds, “They went through all the emotions we did. They were there for us and it helped a lot.”
For World Prematurity Day, the couple, alongside Josh’s parents, Carol and Mark, became ambassadors for Pampers and hope their story will shine a light on the support needed for parents of preemie babies.
“We learned something new every day – for example, how important sleep is for premature babies,” says Josh.
“They can sleep up to 22 hours a day. We learned through Pampers that pre-term nappies are important because they can go up to six hours without a change and are designed to accommodate the wires attached to the baby, yet only 15 per cent of preemie babies are wearing them.”
The couple finally got to take Dustin home on Easter Sunday, and it’s a day they’ll never forget.
“When we walked into the hospital, there was a little Easter bunny in his cot and a note saying, ‘Mummy and Daddy, I’m ready to come home’,” says Hollie.
“We couldn’t believe it; we were both so emotional and happy. We had Josh with us that day, so we got to leave as a family of four.”
Hollie and Josh still count their blessings and not even the exhaustion that comes with parenting two under two can eclipse their joy.
“We had two under one for 11 days!” laughs Hollie. “We’re positive people and we’re both hands on. Nothing outweighs the good times.”
The couple can’t wait to spend Dustin’s first Christmas with their families and share the festive magic with their sons.
Josh reveals, “I loved Christmas when I was growing up – watching the films, putting up the tree and having friends and family come together. Now I get to see my boys enjoy it.”