MILAAP SUCCESS STORY · NICU / PREMATURE BIRTH RECOVERY
From The NICU To Growing Stronger: Gagana’s Twins Come Home
When Gagana V and her husband first learned they were expecting twins, they began imagining the simple moments every parent dreams of — holding their babies, naming them, bringing them home. But the pregnancy soon became complicated, and at 27 weeks, Gagana delivered prematurely. One of her daughters weighed just 550 grams. After months of fear inside the NICU, both twins are finally home and growing stronger.
550 Grams
The birth weight of one twin, delivered prematurely at 27 weeks
₹30,000 / Day
Combined NICU cost for both babies, far more than the family had expected
Home & Growing
Where the twins are today, after months of intensive care
A pregnancy that turned complicated
When my husband and I first learned we were expecting twins, we began imagining the simple moments every parent dreams of — holding our babies, naming them, bringing them home and watching them grow. But the pregnancy soon became complicated. By the fifth month, doctors noticed that while one baby was growing well, the other was not growing as expected. We were closely monitored, hoping to safely continue the pregnancy for as long as possible.
At 27 weeks, the doctors decided that the babies could no longer safely remain in the womb. I delivered prematurely, and one of my babies weighed only 550 grams. Both babies were immediately rushed to the NICU. My husband and I did not get the chance to hold our daughters before they were taken away for urgent treatment.
“Every day brought another medical concern and another reason to fear for my daughters. I understand how difficult it is to remain at home while your babies are fighting inside a NICU.”
— Gagana V
A financial burden far beyond what we imagined
Alongside the emotional struggle came an enormous financial burden. We had initially believed that the NICU treatment might cost around ₹2 to ₹3 lakhs. Instead, we learned that the NICU could cost around ₹15,000 per day for each baby — approximately ₹30,000 every day for both. As the babies remained hospitalised for months, the expenses became impossible for us to manage on our own.
We used our savings and sought help from relatives. My mother contributed whatever she had saved, while we approached government authorities, MLAs and applied for government financial assistance. We explored every possible option because our babies’ treatment could not be delayed.
Finding Milaap, and a wave of support
Eventually, a distant relative, Jai auntie, helped create our Milaap fundraiser. We had previously tried another crowdfunding platform but received no financial support despite sharing our story. With Milaap, our situation began to change. Donors from India and abroad came forward to support us, and the funds raised helped us manage the overwhelming hospital expenses. Even after the fundraising support, a large amount remained pending, but the hospital authorities agreed to reduce some of the outstanding bill after we explained our financial situation.
The support was deeply emotional for me. I remember looking at the names of donors and seeing that people from different parts of the world had contributed towards my babies’ treatment. I felt overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude, and I often wondered why I had not discovered Milaap from the beginning.
“The donors were like God to me. Without their support, I don’t know what my family would have done next.”
— Gagana V
Kangaroo care, and coming home
One of the biggest sources of hope during those terrifying months came when doctors finally allowed my husband and me to practise Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) with our babies. Holding our tiny daughters against our chests gave us a sense that we could finally do something to help them grow stronger. I would speak to them every day, reassuring them that their mother was there and that they would be okay.
Today, the twins are finally home and growing. They are doing well and growing nicely, although I know their development will need to be closely monitored because they were born so prematurely. I still carry concerns about their future — one of my babies has a cyst in her brain that doctors are monitoring, while the other is still struggling to gain weight. True peace will come only when I see my daughters grow stronger, stand and eventually walk. Until then, every milestone matters.
Looking back, my message to other parents facing a similar medical crisis is simple: do not lose hope. Choose good doctors, trust the treatment process and keep praying. Premature babies can grow stronger with the right care. Today, we are no longer waiting outside the NICU wondering if our babies will make it through another day. Every day my daughters grow stronger is a reminder of how far we have come, and of the people who stood beside us when we needed help the most.
Facing overwhelming NICU costs for your baby?
Premature birth and NICU care can cost far more than families expect, and every day of delay can matter. We help parents reach a wider circle of support so their baby’s treatment doesn’t have to wait.
Frequently asked questions
Why can premature birth and NICU costs be so much higher than expected?
NICU care involves round-the-clock monitoring, specialised equipment and a team of specialists, which can cost ₹15,000 or more per day per baby. Costs rise further with complications like infections, bleeding, or extended stays — Gagana’s family initially expected ₹2–3 lakhs in total but faced closer to ₹30,000 a day for both babies.
What is Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), and why is it recommended for premature babies?
KMC involves holding a premature baby skin-to-skin against a parent’s chest. It helps regulate the baby’s temperature and heart rate, supports bonding, and has been shown to improve outcomes for low-birth-weight and premature infants alongside standard medical care.
What complications are common for extremely premature or low-birth-weight babies?
Babies born very early or at low birth weight, like Gagana’s twins, can face complications including infections, internal bleeding, breathing difficulties and feeding challenges. These often require weeks or months of NICU care and close monitoring even after discharge.
How do I start a fundraiser for NICU or premature birth expenses?
You typically need hospital documents confirming the diagnosis and treatment, a cost estimate from the hospital, and identity proof for the parent or person raising funds. Our team helps applicants gather and verify these documents so the fundraiser can go live quickly, given how urgent NICU care often is.
Story shared with permission · Written by Milaap
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