Surviving the NICU
Posted on February 27, 2009
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A dramatic change came to our lives on August 1st, 2008. I first set foot in a place I had never before heard of, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. My son decided he was coming into this world ten weeks before we had all expected him. Remembering my feelings of uneasiness and anxiety, I thought perhaps sharing what pertinent things I learned from the NICU would help ease the burdens of those in the same position.
The first concern was the noise of bells and alarms constantly going off in the NICU. It is easy to assume the worst has happened, cardiac arrest, or a lung collapsing. I quickly learned that perhaps this was not the case.
These are merely ways for the vitals of the baby to communicate with the nurses that have many tasks to follow at once. It might only mean that an IV is out, or that certain vitals have gone slightly below the recommended levels. It is undeniable when the dings and alarms become crucial; they are not only more prevalent, but a team of nurses will not hesitate to respond at the bedside.
I was also worried about the nurses going from baby to baby with so many of them suffering from contagious infections. I soon learned that every person in the NICU, including visitors, must take precious care to stay sanitary by washing their hands very frequently. They also hospital grade hand sanitizer very accessible all over the NICU.
Another effect of the nurses having so many babies to care for, they may not always come over to talk to you as soon as you would like. By letting them know in advance when you are likely to come, they can be more aware of your coming. Even if the nurse is different from day to day, they pass the information along to each other very well so they can know when to expect you.
When they know you are coming, they can arrange other specialist to come talk to you as well. Lactation specialist, for example, are on hand to help mothers learn how best to get breast milk to their growing child. Since it has been proven that babies fed with breast milk leave the NICU sooner, it is most helpful.
They have specialists that teach the parents different techniques that come with caring for a special child. NICU babies are different and need better attention. These specialist get to know you and your situation personally so that they can help you.
They encourage Kangaroo Care which is a bonding experience with parent and baby that also teaches the baby, by using your body as a guide, how to keep a steady heart rate and warm body temperature. I also learning bonding and calming techniques for any baby that works through baby massage. Most useful would be the First Aid seminars they teach as well.
The NICU can be more than an anxious experience. When all the tools of the NICU are utilized it can be a learning experience for you and your spouse. Taking advantage of all the opportunities not only gives you something to look forward too, which helps time move faster, you don’t feel so alone and overwhelmed when the baby does come home. Instead you will feel the appropriate feelings of joy and security in caring for your child in the safety of his own home.
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