Information and stories from the NICU World
Losing a patient can be extremely difficult especially in the NICU where providers have bonded with the babies and their families. Here are some helpful ways that may help you cope as a medical provider after experiencing such a loss.
1. Allow yourself to grieve: Losing a patient can be a significant loss, and it is important to allow yourself to grieve. It is normal to feel sadness, frustration, and even guilt. Give yourself time and space to process your emotions. 2.Seek support: Reach out to colleagues, friends, or family members to discuss your feelings. Talking to others who have been through similar situations can help you feel less alone and may provide you with valuable insights and coping strategies. 3. Practice self-care: It is important to prioritize your own well-being during this time. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Taking care of yourself can help you manage stress and prevent burnout. 4. Seek professional help if needed: If you are struggling to cope with the loss, consider seeking professional help. A mental health professional can provide you with tools and strategies to help you manage your emotions and cope with grief. In summary, losing a patient can be a difficult and emotional experience for medical providers. Coping with the loss requires allowing yourself to grieve, seeking support, practicing self-care, reflecting on the situation, and seeking professional help if needed. Remember that it is normal to feel emotions after losing a patient, and it is important to take care of yourself during this time.
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Reading to preterm infants can provide numerous benefits for their development, including: Language development: Reading to preterm infants can help them develop their language skills, including their vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. Research has shown that infants who are read to regularly have larger vocabularies and better language skills than those who are not. Cognitive development: Reading to preterm infants can also promote cognitive development, including their memory and attention skills. Emotional development: Reading to preterm infants can provide comfort and reassurance, as well as help them bond with their caregivers. Overall, reading to preterm infants is a simple but powerful way to support their development in multiple domains 1. Start by gradually introducing your dog to new sights, sounds, and smells associated with a baby. For example, you can play recordings of a baby crying or cooing, use baby lotion, powder or other baby products around your dog and allow him to investigate baby gear like cribs, strollers, and car seats. Bring a blanket home from the NICU that has your baby’s scent on it for your dog to smell. 2. Making sure your dog is well trained in basic commands is very important. Basic obedience commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "leave it” will help you manage your dog's behavior around the baby. 3. If your dog hasn’t been around many children you can start to slowly introduce them to kids in a controlled environment. Start with older children that won’t startle your dog and can remain calm around them. All of these interactions should be very closely supervised. 4. Practice simulated baby scenarios, such as carrying a doll around or pushing a stroller, to get your dog accustomed to the presence of a new family member. 5. Once the baby is home be consistent with the behaviors you want from the dog by establishino boundaries and expectations for them when they are around the baby, such as no jumping or taking the baby’s toys. 6. If your dog is used to your undivided attention all day long, you may want to gradually reduce the amount of time you spend playing and cuddling with your dog before the baby arrives to help prevent jealousy or anxiety. That being said, you should continue to make sure that the dog gets plenty of exercise and at least some one on one time with you during the day. Remember, always supervise interactions between your dog and baby, and never leave them alone together, even for a moment. With some preparation and training, your dog can be a loving and protective companion for your new family member. The timing for starting oral feeding for a preterm baby can vary depending on several factors, such as their gestational age, weight, overall health condition, and ability to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. In general, preterm babies who are born before 34 weeks of gestation may not be developmentally ready to feed orally and may require alternative methods of feeding, such as tube feeding or parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition like TPN), for a period of time until they are able to feed orally. For babies born between 34-37 weeks of gestation, they may be able to start oral feedings earlier, but the timing will still depend on their individual readiness. The healthcare team caring for your baby will monitor their progress and determine when they are ready to start oral feedings. Feel free to ask your baby’s medical providers when they think she/he will be ready and what signs they are watching for in order to start trying oral feeds. This way you too are monitoring your baby for these signs and wil be able to tell when your baby is ready. How can you manage your life when you have a baby in the NICU and also have other children at home. This situation can be challenging but here are some tips to help you manage this situation:
1. Establish a routine: Creating a routine can help both you and your other children feel more in control during this time of transition. Try to keep regular meal and bedtime schedules and schedule some one-on-one time with each child even if it’s only 5 min of your uninterrupted attention. 2. Communicate with your children: It's important to let them know about the situation communicate and let them know what to expect. Explain to them in simple terms what is happening with the new baby, why they are not at home, and why they need to be patient and understanding. 3. Get support: Reach out to family members or close friends for support during this time. It's okay to ask for help with your older children's activities, meals, and other tasks. 4. Include your children in the process: You can help them feel involved in the process by having them make cards or artwork for the baby, or by visiting the NICU to meet their new sibling (if allowed. Be sure to check with your NICU’s current visitation policy). 5. Take care of yourself: It's important to take care of yourself during this time, both physically and emotionally. Make sure you are getting enough rest, eating well, staying hydrated, and finding time to do things that help you relax and de-stress. 6. Stay connected with the NICU staff: Stay in contact with the NICU staff and keep up-to-date on your baby's progress. This can help you feel more in control and better able to manage the situation. Feel free to call anytime day or night to ask how your baby is doing. Ask if the NICU has parents cameras to view your baby while you are at home. 7. Seek professional help if needed: If you or your children are struggling to cope with the situation, don't hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. Ask the NICU if they have any support programs for families. Most NICUs have a Social Worker who can help you navigate your emotions and provide information on community resources in your area. Remember, this is a challenging time, but with the right support and resources, you can successfully manage having a baby in the NICU and older kids at home. Getting bad news about your baby in the neonatal ICU can be an extremely difficult and overwhelming experience for parents. Here are some steps you can take to navigate this situation:
1. Take a deep breath: When you receive bad news about your baby, it's important to take a moment to breathe and collect yourself. Take deep breaths and try to stay as calm as possible. This will help you to process the information more effectively. 2. Ask questions: If there is something you don't understand, ask the doctors and nurses for more information. They can help you to understand the diagnosis and prognosis, as well as the treatment options available. See the helpful description on who is on your baby’s care team under the TOPICS tab on this website. 3. Seek support: Don't be afraid to reach out to family, friends, or a support group to help you cope with your emotions and provide you with emotional support. Consider talking to a therapist or counselor as well. 4. Advocate for your baby: Be an advocate for your baby by asking questions, staying informed about your baby's treatment plan, and voicing any concerns or issues that you may have. 5. Take care of yourself: It's important to take care of yourself during this difficult time. Make sure to eat well, rest, and take breaks when you need them. Don't hesitate to ask for help from others when you need it. 6. Stay hopeful: While the news may be difficult to hear, it's important to remember that medical advancements are constantly being made, and there may be hope for your baby's recovery. Stay positive and keep faith in your baby's ability to overcome their challenges. When your baby is unexpectedly admitted to the NICU it can be an extremely stressful experience. Parents of premature or critically ill newborns often find themselves in a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from fear and anxiety to hope and joy. The stress of being a parent in the NICU can manifest in several ways, both physically and emotionally.
Physically, the stress of being a parent in the NICU can cause exhaustion, disrupted sleep patterns, and physical discomfort. Parents may be required to stay at the hospital for extended periods, sleeping in uncomfortable chairs or couches, or in a separate room provided by the hospital. They may also have to juggle work responsibilities, other children, and household duties, all while trying to be present for their newborn in the NICU. Emotionally, the stress of being a parent in the NICU can be overwhelming. Parents may feel a sense of guilt, blaming themselves for their baby's condition or the need for medical interventions. They may also feel isolated and alone, especially if they have limited social support or if the NICU is far from their home. The constant uncertainty and ups and downs of their baby's condition can cause anxiety, fear, and even depression. Additionally, parents may feel a sense of loss and grief, mourning the loss of a "normal" birth experience and the joys that come with taking a healthy baby home. The NICU environment can also be overwhelming, with a constant stream of medical jargon, equipment, and procedures that can be difficult to understand. Despite the challenges, many parents find strength and resilience during their time in the NICU. Support from medical professionals, family, friends, and support groups can make a significant difference in reducing stress and improving outcomes. Parents who are struggling with the stress of being in the NICU should not hesitate to seek help from their healthcare team, social workers, or mental health professionals. With time and support, many parents are able to navigate the stress of the NICU and find hope for their baby's future Mother’s own milk is the optimal nutrition for preterm infants for several reasons:
1. Easy to Digest: Breast milk is easier to digest than formula, which is particularly important for preterm infants who have immature digestive systems. Breast milk is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that are easily absorbed and used by the baby's body. 2. Rich in Nutrients: Breast milk is rich in essential nutrients that are important for preterm infants, including protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, and zinc. Not all nutrients found in breast milk are in preterm infant formulas. 3. Contains Immune Proteins: Breast milk contains immune proteins and other protective factors that help to boost a preterm infant's immune system. These factors are particularly important for preterm infants, who are at increased risk of infections and other health problems due to their immaturity. 4. Promotes Growth and Development: Breast milk has been shown to promote growth and development in preterm infants. It can help preterm infants gain weight more quickly and improve their cognitive and motor development. 5. May Reduce Health Risks: Studies have shown that preterm infants who receive breast milk are at lower risk of developing certain health problems, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal infection that preterm infants are at higher risk for compared to term infants. In summary, breast milk is the optimal nutrition for preterm infants because it is easy to digest, rich in essential nutrients, contains immune proteins and other protective factors, ROSE’S ROAD 🌹
The year 2020 took off like a rocket 🚀. I turned 30 years old, I started nursing school, a pandemic impacted upon us, and then I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Working thru the pandemic while being pregnant went relatively well. I was scared for myself and the child I was carrying, but safely maintained our health throughout it all. I kept up with every doctor's appointment. Everything seemed to be going fairly well up until September 21, 2020 on my 28 week gestational ultrasound. That is when I learned my baby was in a breech position (which means her body was positioned with her head up towards my ribs instead of down towards my legs). It was also discovered that my blood pressure was severely high, a condition called PREECLAMPSIA. Because this condition can cause complications, I was told to go straight to the hospital to be admitted for monitoring and this is where I first learned about the NICU WORLD. The NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was a world that I wasn’t familiar with, something I never knew existed. While being admitted into the hospital on the labor and delivery unit I was introduced to some of the NICU team. It was truly amazing and quite overwhelming. But at the same time I was scared, nervous, and anxious, not only for myself but for this little life that my body was carrying. She really gave the nurses a run for their money hiding from the monitors jus having a field day in my belly. As I’m talking to the NICU team she was hiding from the nurses to where they had to bring the big ultrasound machine in just to simply find her. This little girl caused a lot of commotion that day. The NICU doctor (called a neonatologist) told me about the team that will care for Rose in the NICU and the things that might happen to her because she will be premature. I just remember asking one question which felt like it was the most important question to ask WHAT ARE HER CHANCES OF SURVIVING OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB AT THIS EARLY STAGE OF THE PREGNANCY? I wasn't due until December 15, 2020. So we were a whole 3 months early. The neonatologist simply said well after the show this young lady just put on with hiding from the nurses I’m thinking she will do relatively fine. With that statement alone I was at peace with whatever was going to happen and whatever needed to be done. Trust was established. After 4 days of labor being pumped with IV fluids and no food I begged Rose to come because I felt like I was being tortured with not eating. On September 25, 2020 @ 1:57 am ROSE ANN’MARIE BLADES was born at 28 weeks and 3 days gestational age weighing 1 lb and 10 oz. I had to have a C-Section and she was so small, the size of both my palms put together . Her dad got to get a great look at her and amazing photos to match. In the delivery room the NICU team was there and ready for her. They did what they had to do with Rose in the delivery room and took her to the NICU. After 2 days, we finally got to go to the NICU to see our child. The NICU was a beautiful place for babies and parents to bond. After our tour around the NICU I felt comfortable knowing that Rose was getting the best care. But in the back of my mind there were these thoughts of is my child strong enough to endure life outside of the womb and will she survive? Once Rose was stable enough to hold I was able to do skin to skin with her. She was so tiny, so tiny that my breasts were bigger than her whole body. She literally fit right in between my breasts. That was a VERY happy moment for both of us. After a while in the NICU the team started to teach her little things like how to hold her own pacifier. It was truly an amazing thing to see especially with her weighing 2 lb and 1 month old. We are still on this journey and I hope to continue this post soon... Please read for the terms and conditions of reading and commenting on this blog Welcome to thenicuworld blog! We hope to provide a forum for parents to talk about some of their experiences while having a child in the NICU. There will be weekly posts either by parents or on topics of interest to NICU parents.
If you would like us to post something you have written, simply email it to thenicuworld@gmail.com. It will be reviewed by our team and if there are any questions you will be contacted, otherwise it will be posted both on this webpage and our Facebook page, The NICU World. Please join the Facebook group so you can tag yourself and share with your friends and family. Rules and regulations: Feel free to comment but we request that all comments be respectful of others. By reading and commenting on the posts on this website you agree to the terms and conditions mentioned here. |
AuthorThese are posts designed to help and validate some of the feelings NICU parents may be experiencing. If you would like to contribute a post please email us at thenicuworld@gmail.com Archives
March 2023
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