Preparing for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you’ll ever know.” -Winnie the Pooh
It can be unexpected
Most of the time babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) happen unexpectedly. As a neonatal nurse, I wanted to provide some tips to help make the transition a little bit smoother for you and your family if a neonatal intensive care unit is needed at any point.
So, What Can Be Done?
Birthing facility
Families choose between home birth, birth center and hospital based births.
Research NICU facilities and find the one that is closest to you, so if needing a transfer you’ll feel good about the transfer facility. If you’re anticipating that your baby will need to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, choose a facility with a high acuity such as a NICU level 4 and birth at this facility so you’ll be close to baby.
Build support
You’ll be in shock and only focused on your baby’s wellbeing.
Have someone dedicated to taking care of you to “mother the mother.” This person should help you get back to the basics to make sure you’re eating, sleeping, staying hydrated, managing stress and talking about how you feel. Have this person update family and set up a meal train (beyond 2 weeks, set it up for a couple months).
Know that you and your partner might respond differently to stress
Share how you’re feeling with your partner and encourage them to do the same, this might need intention and repetition, and that’s okay. Even if you’re walking the same path and living the same daily events as your partner, they still do not inherently know the complex workings of your inner world. Especially in times of stress or overwhelming circumstances, it can be easy to turn on automatic pilot and just coexist with your partner. However, this is a crucial time to purposefully invite them into your inner world and ask to know theirs.
Get a talk therapist – even if you don’t think you need it
The stress of having your baby in the NICU can put you at greater risk for postnatal mood and anxiety disorders. You don’t have to suffer in silence. The combination of talk therapy, natural remedies and medication (if needed) can do wonders for your mental health. If you’re not sure what to do – ask yourself the question – “Am I struggling or suffering?” If you’re suffering, it’s time to get help. From one mom to another, there is no shame in that.
Join a local support group
NICU’s often have support groups or ask your nurse for supportive resources. And know that we’re here and would love to join our UF member ‘virtual’ support group.
I can help. The Unique Footprints Early Motherhood is an online course for you.
This course includes, “A NICU Stay” which gives you a step-by-step plan to make the NICU a better experience with bedside interventions you can do with baby to help you and your baby overcome the stress of the NICU.
You don’t have to feel all alone anymore.
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Unique Footprints Authors:
Jenny Morrow, RN, IBCLC, LCCE, RYT
Jenny is a mom, neonatal nurse and founder of Unique Footprints (online pregnancy and early motherhood courses). Jenny has taught over 10,000 expecting families how to prepare for this time in their lives. Read more about Jenny here or you can watch her story.
From the Unique Footprints editorial team and Jenny Morrow, founder of Unique Footprints. Unique Footprints follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources from ACOG, the American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, the U.S. Surgeon Guidelines and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The UF TEAM also thoroughly researches peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Unique Footprints is endorsed by the American Pregnancy Association.