 |
| My first time meeting Princess after I delivered her. |
1. Take it day by day - there's too much that can happen in one day that can influence the next. This mindset is the only way I kept my sanity during those five long weeks (which in the NICU realm isn't even that long).
2. Make your baby's room comfortable - because you will be spending a lot of time there most likely in that rocking chair. I brought my Boppy pillow and a travel neck pillow for myself. I would also bring a comfy blanket for yourself. I often napped with Princess while doing skin-to-skin time, so these items ensured comfort for the both of us.
3. Pumping bra, nursing cover, and nursing shirts will be your wardrobe staples (if breastfeeding/pumping) - I would pack your pumping bra in your purse (if you don't have one, get one; it's God's gift to pumping mamas) and wear nursing shirts. I would keep a nursing cover in the NICU. I didn't think to do any of this until later on in Princess's stay, and I would have loved to have been more covered while visiting with her.
4. Take a million photos and videos - I can't emphasize this enough!! I treasure every moment captured on film. I regret not taking more videos. It's so neat to look back and hear baby's teeny sounds, watch their movements, and witness how quickly baby was growing and changing. I never thought I would want it but I recently found a picture my husband took of Princess's giraffe bed. You may never forget what that room was like but I can't wait to show Princess these mementos when she's older. It's an important part of Princess's history and our family history.
5. Keep a record/log/calendar of baby's stay- our NICU gave us a special NICU calendar with stickers and NICU-specific questions to fill in. Everyday I would record Princess's weight and anything significant that happened that day (hearing screen, car seat test, etc.). I was also tracking her bilirubin levels when she struggled with that for a couple weeks. At the time it helped me see progress, and I looked forward to using the sticker that said "Going Home". Princess's nurses also seemed to like it as I had it hanging in her room. I'm so glad I took the time back then to do all that because I wouldn't remember half of those details now.
6. Research - Most commonly used prenatal and newborn books don't have a section on the needs and care of preemies so do your research. My NICU had a booklet on these things for each gestational week, which was an eye opener! In Princess's first week of life no one told us of this resource there, and we were unknowingly overstimulating Princess every time we visited. I felt awful once I realized it! We had several visitors come in one day, we would flip on the lights, and we weren't watching our voice volume. I cringe to think of how stressed my poor baby was during that time. Preemies need dark, quiet, and as little stimulation as possible. Preemies also need firm touch as opposed to the light strokes myself and other visitors were doing (seeing a baby that small I always worried I was going to hurt her). Their nervous system just isn't developed enough to handle light touch and other stimulation. We were told light touch to a preemie is like someone touching your fresh sunburn...ouch! There are also several web sites devoted to preemie care.
7. You are an active member of baby's treatment team - Just because you aren't on staff does not make you any less important in your baby's plan of care! You don't necessarily have to be there for doctor rounds every day but I would recommend attending a few throughout baby's stay. We had a fantastic team but every nurse we had had their own idea of what Princess needed to accomplish before discharge and when that would be. After a couple weeks of getting my hopes up and then crushed I attended rounds to ask the doctor (who is ultimately the person writing your baby's discharge order) what was the discharge criteria.
8. Ask for primary nurses for each shift - consistency in care is optimal so when you find a couple nurses you feel comfortable with ask for them to be baby's primary nurse for that shift. It helped ease a little bit of my worry when I wasn't able to be by Princess's side to know she was in good, trusted hands. Likewise, the nurses will get to know the quirks and likenesses of you and your baby which makes for (hopefully) seamless care.
9. Ask questions - if you don't understand something about baby's care, ask! Not every parent has a medical background (and even if you do), there are no stupid questions. You need to know what's going on with your precious bundle of joy. This is especially pertinent when you are being told what you will need to do with baby once he/she is home. If the nurse can't answer your question request someone who does to explain it you.
10. Join a preemie support group - I didn't find this until after Princess was discharged but I'm part of a preemie mom Facebook group. It is an amazing resource! The other mothers, who are from all over the globe, are very supportive of one another. Also, many mothers have similar experiences and serve as a great expert panel when you have questions about your mysterious preemie. I wish I would have had to this when Princess was in the NICU.
11. It's okay to grieve - you are likely to grieve the loss of your planned birthing and hospital experience, or grieve the loss of the end of your pregnancy. It's perfectly normal so don't feel ashamed! I'm still working on seeing other new moms' first picture of them with their baby right after they birthed him/her in the delivery room. I birthed Princess, the doctor quickly held her up for me and she was immediately whisked into the NICU. I didn't get to hold my baby until later that night (I birthed her at 1:09 p.m.). Every preemie mom has a certain trigger or sore spot related to their experience. Though it's okay to grieve, if you are concerned you may be suffering from post partum depression you should seek professional help (which there is also no shame in doing).
Okay those are the biggest things I can come up with but if you have any you would like to add please leave a comment. I would love to hear it!
No comments:
Post a Comment