Frankie’s journey home after being born 12 weeks early in Mallorca

While enjoying a babymoon in Mallorca, Megan and Micky’s world changed instantly when Frankie arrived 12 weeks early, born at just 28 weeks at Hospital Universitario Son Espases in Palma. Far from home, navigating the challenges of premature birth, a language barrier, and life as NICU parents in another country, they faced overwhelming uncertainty about how they would eventually bring their daughter safely back to the UK. When delays with their insurance company left them feeling stranded and without answers, Lia’s Wings became their lifeline, providing reassurance, advocacy, emotional support, and hope during the hardest times of their lives, helping the family finally return home together safely.

This is their story, told by Megan, Frankie's mum.

Frankie was born 12 weeks early in Palma, Spain.

We travelled to Mallorca for our babymoon in June 2025, excited for one final holiday together before welcoming our baby girl into the world. What we never could have imagined was that we would only spend three days enjoying our trip before Frankie made a very unexpected entrance, arriving 12 weeks early.

My pregnancy had been completely straightforward with no complications at all. I had been signed fit to fly by my midwife and felt absolutely fine. However, on our third evening, I began experiencing cramps which very quickly progressed into labour pains. We were staying at a resort over an hour away from the nearest hospital with a NICU, and to this day, we are incredibly thankful that we chose to go to the hospital when we did.

Everything happened so quickly. One moment we were out enjoying dinner on holiday, and the next we were being told our baby was coming. I was given neuroprotective treatment to help Frankie’s brain and lungs develop as much as possible before delivery, and thankfully, the labour was delayed until the following day. Frankie was born naturally at Hospital Universitario Son Espases in Palma.

“Everything happened so quickly. One moment we were out enjoying dinner on holiday, and the next we were being told our baby was coming.”

Alongside the overwhelming fear of having our daughter at just 28 weeks, we were suddenly trying to navigate becoming NICU parents in another country, facing a significant language barrier. The unknown was terrifying. We had no understanding of how the healthcare system worked in Spain, and very little knowledge about premature birth and what lay ahead for us. It is something you simply never expect to happen to you.

Their holiday quickly became a neonatal stay in an unfamiliar healthcare system.

We were told that when Frankie was born, she may need some help to breathe straight away, paediatricians stood by ready with machines and medical equipment. Immediately after she was born, she cried and was placed on my chest for a few seconds. This feeling was indescribable. Frankie was then quickly taken away to the NICU. Micky went with her so she wouldn’t be alone, which meant I was left on my own for a while after the birth. Although the hospital staff were kind and caring, the language barrier made an already traumatic experience feel even more frightening. There were moments where we struggled to fully understand what was happening or ask the questions we desperately wanted answered.

“Alongside the overwhelming fear of having our daughter at just 28 weeks, we were suddenly trying to navigate becoming NICU parents in another country, facing a significant language barrier."

Thankfully, we had travel insurance which covered the medical expenses, accommodation, and travel costs while Frankie remained in hospital. I was discharged after three nights, which meant being separated from our newborn daughter and travelling back and forth from another resort to the hospital every single day. Before long, the NICU became our entire world.

Changing decisions from their travel insurer left Megan, Mickey and Frankie stranded in Spain.

Initially, our insurance company reassured us that an air ambulance home for Frankie would be covered. That gave us enormous comfort during such an uncertain time. However, we were later told that Frankie would not be repatriated until she was past her due date, meaning we could potentially remain in Spain for more than three months and she would likely return home on a commercial flight instead.

This was incredibly difficult to process, especially when doctors in both Spain and the UK were telling us that Frankie could safely travel via air ambulance much sooner, as the aircraft would effectively function as a flying NICU. At the same time, we were facing the terrifying possibility of Frankie being discharged in Spain while we were still living in a hotel room, with none of the equipment, support, or preparations we would have had at home. The extreme heat added another layer of anxiety; while normal for Spain, we had no idea how to care for such a premature baby in 40-degree temperatures.

For weeks, we battled daily with the insurance company, trying to secure answers and support. Everything felt uncertain, with no clear timeline and no end in sight. We spent hours every day chasing updates, fighting for funding, and desperately trying to bring our daughter home. My mum, back in England, spent countless hours on the phone advocating for us. The additional stress during an already traumatic period was unimaginable. On top of everything else, we also had to navigate obtaining emergency travel documentation for Frankie through the British Embassy in Palma.

From the UK, Megan’s mum spent hours on the phone advocating to their insurer.

Then Lia’s Wings came into our lives.

A friend back home who works in a NICU recommended Lia’s Wings after hearing about the incredible work they do. From the very first phone call with Lia’s Wings, it genuinely felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from our shoulders. For the first time since Frankie was born, we felt like we could breathe again. Someone understood. Someone cared. Someone was going to help us bring our baby home safely. Lia’s Wings became our lifeline.

"From the very first phone call with Lia’s Wings, it genuinely felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from our shoulders. "

Because of the language barrier, we still had so many unanswered questions and uncertainties. The team at Lia’s Wings stepped in and eased so much of that fear. They helped us understand medical terminology, explained things in greater detail, and provided reassurance during some of the darkest and most frightening moments of our lives. More than anything, they constantly checked in on how we were coping emotionally as well.

Lia’s Wings provided emotional, practical and advocacy support, plus a backup plan to get them home.

They created a WhatsApp group with us, our family and their team, and from that moment on, we never felt alone. No matter the time or the question, they were always there, offering guidance, reassurance, kindness, and unwavering support. Knowing they were beside us throughout this journey brought us an immense sense of comfort during a time that felt completely overwhelming.

With our insurance company continuing to delay and hesitate over Frankie’s repatriation, Lia’s Wings even helped us prepare a backup plan. They gave us a date that they themselves would come and bring us home if needed. That single act gave us hope again. Suddenly, there was light at the end of the tunnel. We finally felt like we were going to make it home together as a family.

Thanks to the incredible support, advice, and advocacy from Lia’s Wings, we were eventually able to persuade our insurance company to arrange Frankie’s transfer back to the UK at very short notice.

“Suddenly, there was light at the end of the tunnel. We finally felt like we were going to make it home together as a family.”

Although we ultimately didn’t need Lia’s Wings to physically bring us home themselves, they stood beside us every single step of the way until we were safely back in the UK with Frankie, and even now, they still continue to check in on us.

It is impossible to truly put into words how grateful we are for Lia’s Wings and everything they did for our family. During the most frightening and uncertain time of our lives, they gave us hope, strength, reassurance, and support when we needed it most. Their compassion goes far beyond the practical help they provide; they genuinely care for the families they support.

Lia’s Wings is an extraordinary charity doing truly life-changing work, and we will never forget the impact they had on our journey.

Now home, they are thriving as a family of three.

Frankie’s grammy:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Charlotte and the Lia's Wings team. Without your care and support through this traumatic time, I'm not sure how any of us would have coped. The time you spent explaining everything to us all as a family was amazing, and from a mother and grandmother's side, the reassurance you provided was immense. We had every faith in you all. Thank you again for all you have done for Michael, Megan, Frankie and the family at home. We will definitely be fundraising for this amazing cause, and none of us will ever forget your care and kindness throughout.”