|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Early
days
What
is the Unit like?
|
 |
|
|
|
NICU
is a large area with glass partitioned rooms. There are
28 cots. It is brighly lit, very warm and filled with complicated
machines which buzz, ring and beep quite regularly. The
machines are very sensitive and are just telling the nurses
about something or asking them to check
the baby's condition. You may find this frightening at
first but will quickly get used to it.
|
|
|
|
What
does my baby look like if he is premature?
He
may not look quite as you expected and can look very small
and thin in the middle of all the equipment. All the tubes
and wires attached to the various parts of his body may
make him look very fragile and even frightening to you.
The nurses and doctors will explain what everything is
for and you can see an explanation of some common equipment
on an intensive care bed here.
If
your baby is premature, you may not have expected to see
him for some weeks, so will be unprepared in every way
for the wrinkled little baby which is now yours. You will
see many photos of babies around the unit and you may find
it encouraging to see how they are doing months or years
later. You may also like to read our parents'
stories on this website.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
However
small your baby is, he will be perfectly formed with eyelashes
and fingernails and will be able to respond to light, sound
and touch. He will know your voices, particularly his mother's
and you can help him by talking to him, stroking him and
holding his hand, even if he cannot leave the incubator.
There
is a camera on NICU and a photo is taken when he is admitted
to the Unit for you to keep. You are welcome to bring a
camera/camcorder to take photos of your baby. Normal flash
lights are not harmful to newborn babies.
What
happens if my baby needs surgery?
|
|
 |
|
|
Your
baby may have an illness or other problem which requires
special observation or treatment in NICU. It is of course
a worrying time as he may have a problem which you have
not come across before. You can find a summary of common
reasons for babies to be admitted to NICU here.
There is almost always someone we know who has had the
same problem as you have and we can often arrange for you
to meet them. This can be helpful. The family
support worker will be able to give you more information.
|
| What
does it feel like as parents of a baby at NICU? |
|
 |
|
From
the moment your first learned that your baby was having
trouble you have probably been feeling very upset, aprehensive
and bewildered. You may now be thinking "why has this
happened to me?". "Did I do something wrong?".
Most parents ask themselves these questions.
If
your baby is premature, do not forget that you are premature
parents. You are unprepared both emotionally and physically
for your baby, and may feel quite worried by the strength
of your mixed emotions of joy and grief, guilt and anger.
You may feel strange towards your new baby in a way you
did not to your other children, and certainly did not expect
if this is your first baby.
It
is important to know that your baby's imaturity or illness
is rarely related to anything you did or did not do and
you should discuss this with your Doctor early on to be
reasured.
|
|
|
Mothers
in particular are very close to their baby during pregancy
and will find it hard to be away from him now and may feel
lonely and empty. If you have other cildren, you may worry
about them too and feel very torn in you loyalties. They
will usually cope adequately for a while with both parents
coming and going and you sould spend as much time as you
can spare getting to know your new baby. You may feel that
the nursing staff can meet all his needs but this is not
the whole story. Your baby needs you and you need your
baby.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
This
is a time when you feel confused and emotional. Do not
try to hide it. The family
support worker as well as the medical nursing staff
will be happy to talk to you about your feelings and concerns
and there are lots of sources
of support available.
You
may also like to read some stories
from parents who have had a baby in NICU.
Will
I get used to visiting NICU?
|
 |
|
However
long you have to visit your baby on NICU you will have
good days and bad and will from time to time feel very
stressed and unhappy. You may feel that your baby does
not belong to you and and that you have to ask for permission
to do things for him. We try hard to avaoid you feeling
like this, so please say if you feel unhappy about something.
Little annoyances tend to build up stress and can usually
be easily solved.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|