“Nothing will be the same again”
Mario Götze on the dramatic birth of son Rome
Updated on November 21, 2024 – 10:09 a.m. Reading time: 3 min.
Mario Götze: The footballer has two children. (Source: IMAGO/Jerry Andre)
Son Rome was born in the summer of 2020 – six weeks early. Now, four years later, Mario Götze remembers the birth with moving lines.
“Dad has to tell you a story!” With these words Mario Götze begins an emotional letter to his two children. Son Rome was born in the summer of 2020, followed three years later by daughter Gioia. The Eintracht Frankfurt player now dedicates moving lines to them on the platform “The Players’ Tribune” – and describes in detail the dramatic moments surrounding the premature birth of his firstborn.
“I’ll never forget when your mother was seven months pregnant and our midwife came to us in Dortmund. She did an ultrasound, a routine check-up to make sure everything was OK, but suddenly she said: ‘It looks like this ‘As if your baby isn’t feeling well.'” Rome’s heartbeat was too slow. “You have to go to the hospital immediately,” the midwife said to the expectant parents.
“I almost had the feeling that my heart would stop beating,” the footballer remembers. Ann-Kathrin Götze was taken to a hospital in Witten. “I was driving right behind you, but I felt so far away from you. For 20 minutes we drove very fast with our sirens on, running red lights and dodging between honking cars.”
A “living nightmare” for the couple. “As a parent, you can’t describe the fear of losing a child. I was panicking, sweating. I was scared to the pit of my stomach. Every second felt like a minute, every minute felt like an hour. I don’t even know “How I could keep the car on the road because all I could think about was: Please, please, please, please, let him be okay.”
Everything happened very quickly in the hospital – and then someone said: “His heart is still beating!” the athlete remembers. “I was so relieved that I almost fell to the floor.” But the doctors had to deliver Rome by caesarean section – six weeks early. “My life has changed. Nothing will be the same anymore.”
Rome was born during the pandemic. That presented Mario Götze with a challenge at the time. The footballer was actually supposed to train with his former club Borussia Dortmund. “There were safety regulations about where we were allowed to go. The hospital staff told me I could either return to the training ground or spend time in the hospital, but not both. I had to choose: football or family.”
It was immediately clear to the 32-year-old: “I called the club and explained that I couldn’t come to training until you were 100 percent healthy. And in the end I never came back.” Mario and Ann-Kathrin Götze spent three weeks in the hospital. His contract with BVB was not extended. The professional footballer was without a club. “I’m a father first. A footballer second. I’ll never apologize for that.”
“Today you can’t tell that you were born so early. You have so much energy that Dad started drinking coffee to keep up.” Three years after the birth of son Rome, daughter Gioia was born, also prematurely. “You also had a very slow pulse in the womb. Luckily that was found out at the hospital, so your birth was a little less dramatic. No ambulance ride for you.” Nevertheless, it was exhausting.
Mario Götze ends his letter with the words: “Thank you for completing my life. I love you.”
How can healthcare professionals and communities better support the emotional and psychological needs of families experiencing the rollercoaster of premature birth, both during and after the initial hospital stay?
## Interview Outline: The Power of Family and the Impact of Premature Birth
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re joined by… (Introduce Guest 1, maybe a pediatrician or child development expert) and … (Introduce Guest 2, perhaps a parent who has experienced premature birth). We’ll be delving into the profound story of Mario Götze’s experiences with the premature birth of his son, Rome, touching upon the emotional rollercoaster, the difficult choices faced, and the lasting impact on the family.
**Section 1: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Premature Birth**
**Guest 1:**
* Mario Götze describes the overwhelming fear and worry he felt when he learned of Rome’s potentially critical condition. What emotional and psychological challenges are often experienced by parents during a premature birth? How can these emotional needs be supported both within the hospital setting and in the broader community?
**Guest 2:**
* Can you share your own experiences with the emotional upheaval surrounding the premature birth of your child? How did you cope with the uncertainty and fear?
**Section 2: Navigating Difficult Decisions: Family First**
**Guest 1:**
* Mario Götze chose his family over his football career when Rome was born prematurely. This decision raised important questions about the balance between personal and professional life. What are the ethical considerations for expecting parents facing similar challenges? How can societies better support parents in making tough decisions regarding career and family during a crisis?
**Guest 2:**
* How did you navigate the potentially conflicting demands of work and caring for a premature newborn? What support systems proved most helpful in ensuring the well-being of both your child and yourself?
**Section 3: The Unexpected Gifts of Premature Birth: Strength and Resilience**
**Guest 1:**
* Despite the initial challenges, many families find extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of premature birth. What positive outcomes or unexpected gifts can emerge from this challenging experience?
**Guest 2:**
* Can you share any positive transformations or silver linings that emerged from your experience with the premature birth of your child?
**Section 4: Raising Awareness and Building Community Support**
**Guest 1:**
* Sharing personal stories like Mario Götze’s can help raise awareness about the realities of premature birth. What are some effective ways to engage wider community support for families impacted by premature birth?
**Guest 2:**
* What resources or organizations have been crucial for you during and after your child’s premature birth? How can we better connect families facing similar challenges with the support they need?
**Closing:**
Thank you both for sharing your insights and experiences. We hope this discussion sheds light on the complexities and triumphs associated with premature birth, reminding us of the power of family and the human spirit.
**Remember:** Remember to allow for authentic conversation and personal reflections. Be empathetic and create a safe space for vulnerability and shared experiences.
