Today newsreader Alex Cullen is overcome with emotion as he and wife Bonnie speak about their twins, three, being born premature
Today show newsreader Alex Cullen was joined by his wife Bonnie on Wednesday to celebrate the life-saving research being done to help families in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Australia.
The couple’s children Audrey and Evie, three, were born premature at 33 weeks and spent time in the NICU before the parents were allowed to take them home.
Alex, 40, said it was difficult to watch footage of himself and Bonnie holding their newborns in hospital for the first time after they were in their humidity cribs.
Emotional: Today show newsreader Alex Cullen was joined by his wife Bonnie on Wednesday to celebrate the life-saving research being done to help families in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across Australia. Pictured with their daughters Audrey and Evie, three, who were born premature at 33 weeks
‘You get quite emotional – just seeing them in those humidity cribs and all that stuff [medical equipment] on them, all the beeping machines. It is not what you expected,’ Alex said.
‘[Finally] being able to do the kangaroo care, it is just a beautiful moment, it is such a special thing. It was just amazing,’ he said of holding his girls for the first time.
Bonnie added: ‘When you finally get to hold them, it’s amazing.’
‘You get quite emotional’: Alex, 40, said it was difficult to watch footage of himself and Bonnie holding their newborns in hospital for the first time after they were in their humidity cribs
Bonnie and Alex welcomed their twins at 33 weeks after she suffered a placental abruption and was rushed to the Royal Women’s Hospital in Sydney.
The babies spent a month in the NICU being cared for by nurses. The couple weren’t able to hold their daughters when they were in their humidity cribs.
‘With a twin pregnancy, we always knew it was high risk,’ Bonnie said. ‘At first it’s quite scary going into the NICU… but it’s a special place.’
During the interview, the pair were joined by Dr Tim Schindler, a neonatologist from the Royal Women’s Hospital, who is involved in clinical trials and research to help babies in the NICU.
Their story: Bonnie and Alex welcomed their twins at 33 weeks after she suffered a placental abruption and was rushed to the Royal Women’s Hospital in Sydney. The babies spent a month in the NICU being cared for by nurses
Dr Schindler also helped deliver Bonnie and Alex’s twins three years ago.
‘The trials that we’re doing today, we know are going to make a huge difference to the babies of the future,’ he said.
The journalist said his girls were now ‘thriving’ and thanked Dr Schindler for his help.
Alex and Bonnie now have three children, after welcoming son Max in August.
New addition: Alex and Bonnie now have three children, after welcoming son Max in August