Latest
This is the NICU
A musical rhythm of monitors and machines fills the air. The dim and dark corners where incubators are lined in a perfect pattern all adorned with name tags in an attempt to bring some normalcy and personality to the stark hospital world. The hustle and bustle of nurses, therapists, and doctors moving almost rhythmically bed-to-bed. Tiny babies with shiny translucent skin lay dependent on a wired world.
The Profile of a Preemie: The Senses and Your Premature Baby
When a baby is born prematurely their sensory organs are not fully developed and must continue to grow and mature in a foreign world outside the womb. It is important to understand what is happening with your preemie’s senses based on their gestational age, what to expect, and what you can do to help your preemie grow to their fullest potential. [Read More...]
Good Grief: Acknowledging Love and Loss in the NICU
Babies and their families have their own stories. The time spent in the NICU is something parents never forget. No matter how long the journey was or how medically complicated it became, the emotional aspects can be life altering with the memories becoming defining moments in their lives. The NICU can spark emotions that parents never knew existed, emotions so intense that only those who have been through it can truly understand. Sometimes this journey is full of wonder and hope, and often great miracles. But there are moments that are full of raw emotions, fear of the unknown, and pain so incredibly deep, that only God can begin to touch its surface. [Read More...]
NICU 101
The Special Language of a Preemie
The womb is a warm, dark, and cozy home where the baby spends their days and nights curled up with arms and legs tucked in and flexed. Sounds of the mother's heartbeat are rhythmic and soothing while the outside world sounds are … [Read More...]
Preeclampsia and Prematurity- What you need to know
Preeclampsia is responsible for approximately 20% (about 4 million) of the preterm births each year worldwide. In the United States preeclampsia develops in 6-8% of all pregnancies and its incidence has increased by one third over … [Read More...]
Growing Home- Preemie Developmental Care in the NICU
When you have a baby born prematurely, you are faced with starting parenthood differently than if your baby was born full term. Rather than being able to hold, touch, comfort, and console your newborn you are faced with the … [Read More...]
Permaturity
Introducing Solid Foods to the Premature Baby.
Most full term babies will follow a fairly predictable pattern of development and the standard advice given about introducing solid foods to infants in the first year of life is based on this pattern of development and … [Read More...]
Your Growing Preemie: Week by Week
Preemies are born into a world that is far different from that of a fetus growing within the womb. Because fetal development happens quickly and many changes take place in utero week to week; prematurely born infants will vary in … [Read More...]
Pink, Blue, Purple…and the Color ORANGE?
Why orange? What does it symbolize? I thought purple was the color of prematurity? What about the pink and blue prematurity awareness ribbon? It is all so very confusing! … [Read More...]
