10 Tips for Surviving the NICU
Throughout the pregnancy, an expectant mother is told to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and enjoy the beauty of being pregnant, but they are rarely prepared emotionally for what is to come if they give birth prematurely. Fortunately, with the advance of medicine and medical procedures, miracles can and do happen in the NICU.
Should you find yourself or a family member with a premature baby in the NICU, here are some tips to help you survive your journey.
Take pictures of your baby. When you give birth to a premature baby, you are not prepared for the apparatus that helps support their survival. Don’t let all of this inhibit your ability to see how beautiful your precious baby is. Celebrate his existence with pictures. When your baby is a healthy grown child, they too will want to know how their life started.
Videotape for family members. Many NICU only let the parents and grandparents in to see the baby, sometimes even siblings are not allowed. Videotaping the baby will let siblings and other family members feel a connection with the baby and keep them current on their condition.
Get to know the NICU staff. As the primary caregivers of your new baby, the NICU staff is your new best friend and has many answers to your everyday questions. Make sure that you communicate with them at every visit. If they know that you are heavily involved with your baby, they will be more willing to share information with you.
Visit at least once a day. Although the hospital that your baby is at may not be around the corner, make it a point to visit him at least once per day. There may be days that you emotionally feel that you cannot deal with the situation, but put that aside and go for the sake of your baby. He needs to know you will be coming to see him.
Feed your baby. Depending on the condition of your baby, this may not be possible in the beginning, but when the time comes, take advantage of feeding your baby. It provides a wonderful bonding experience for all.
Hold your baby. As a new parent, of course you want to hold your baby. Don’t be intimidated by his tiny size. He will not break. Don’t be afraid to ask the NICU staff for assistance getting your baby in and out of his bed.
Talk to the doctor in charge of the NICU. There is a main doctor that is in charge of all babies in the NICU. Find out when he usually makes his rounds and try to be there at that time. As a parent, you have every right to speak to him to obtain updates on your baby.
Talk with other parents in the NICU. If you feel comfortable, talk with other parents. You would be surprised to learn that there are other parents who are experiencing the same things you are.
Keep a journal. There is no better way to express what you can’t say out loud than to write it down. Whether it be emotions or daily updates, a journal allows you to let it all out.
Celebrate the day your baby comes home. You and your family have been through something that most people would never be able to fathom. Be proud of the strength and courage that you and your baby had through his stay in the NICU. Take a deep breath, buy a cake and celebrate your child being home at last.
