Survival in the NICU
Our lives changed quite dramatically on August 1st, 2008. It was my first time setting foot into a place in whose existence I had previously been ignorant of, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The joyous day that he was born came ten weeks earlier than he was due. Looking back now on how scared and anxious I was, perhaps it may be useful to share what I learned about life in the NICU.
First of all, it’s easy to be worried at the constancy of bells and alarms going off from the monitors of the NICU. I was sure that it meant my son’s heart had stopped or that his lungs had collapsed. I soon learned this was not remotely true.
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.
Another concern I had was that the nurses go around to so many other babies and sometimes those babies have infections that are contagious, so why wouldn’t my son get them? The NICU is so sanitary, as I watched the nurses, they washed their hands constantly. Also, all around the NICU are bottles of hospital grade hand sanitizer that are free for visitors and nurses to use as much as they can.
Since the nurses do have so many babies to watch, they can’t always come talk to you as soon as you need them too. To help with this, it’s good to let them know what times of day is best for you to come and then they can expect you. You may not always have the same nurses everyday, but they spend an hour passing information to each other at the changing of shifts, so that all the nurses will know when you are to come.
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.
Many specialists are available to help you learn all the unique tools you will need to care for your special baby. NICU babies do need special care and attention. These NICU workers are so interested in helping you that they get to know your situation personally and remember what skills you have learned and what you have yet to learn.
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.
About the Author:
Haylee Landford is the mother of a premature baby that is now six months old, and very healthy. She frequently is featured as a guest writer for Land For Sale.
Filed under: first aid