Hospital's developmental clinic

Re: Hospital's developmental clinic

• ijustcantthinkrightnow

  January 2012

  Our NICU scheduled this appointment for us as part of the discharge planning... We've went to two appointments so far and won't be going back.

  I am not sure that your NICU program will be the same, but ours is pretty horrible.

  They are always running behind and we've had to wait for 2-3 hours and then the appointment itself takes forever. They don't really get a good snapshot of what the twins are doing developmentally because by the time they get to it the babies are usually tired and beyond cranky.

  We already have EI services for them and our peditrican does more then the NICU clinic does at each checkup. We feel like we have a pretty good team in place that if a problem arises we will be able to catch it and pursue a developmental ped if needed.

  I would say to go to the first appointment or two and decide whats best for you and your family from there.

  Mom to preemie b/g twins born 14 weeks early after 3 years of IF, 8 clomid cycles and 1 IVF.

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• SushiNoMore

  January 2012

  Our experience has been kind of "meh."  Our son is being followed by an EI therapist through the school system, and that's been great.  She's very good and seems to be doing a good job of keeping an eye on potential developmental delays.

  The NICU follow up clinic has been kind of lame, though.  At our particular NICU, the assessment consists of only what he'll do that day - they don't really ask us any questions of what sorts of things he's doing.  So, if he doesn't demonstrate a particular skill on the day that he's at the clinic, they just assume he can't do it.  They don't even cross-reference his development with us.  That's kind of lame.

  All that being said, I'm glad we're doing it.  In my mind, the more data points you have on a preemie, the better.  Since it's free for you, I'd recommend doing it.  There really isn't a downside.  I'd just take it with a grain of salt.  You're the mommy of a preemie.  That's given you enough of a medical background to sort through the BS.  If you find the NICU follow up valuable, great.  If you go to it, and it seems useless, trust your instincts.  Don't worry if you don't get a ton out of it.  Just take it for what it is, enjoy the benefits, but don't let it be the only opinion you consider. 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• momamatthews

  January 2012

  I wasn't impressed.  I just felt like it was another appointment to load her up and take her to and another chance for her to get sick without feeling like she was gaining anything.  My pediatrician handled everything very well so I never felt like we needed any additional support.  My daughter was born 31 weeks and met all of her milestones on track with a 40week gestation so I never felt like we really needed additional support.  It may have been different had she needed a little extra help.

  

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• katie4253 member

  January 2012

  We didn't have this option, so we weren't followed by the NICU.  But, something you should consider (even if you do the NICU clinic) is getting a separate early intervention evaluation.  Every state is required to have a program (usually through the state department of education.  Your LO will be evaluated by an early interventionist and then they will determine what services your LO needs.  Then, they either visit your LO at home or at day care. 

   

  Born at 31w3d due to severe IUGR & Placental Insufficiency--2lbs 3ounces
  

  We'll miss you sweet Debbie Girl (4.21.12) and sweet Cindy Girl (8.9.12)
  

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• lemen99 member

  January 2012

  We did and I appreciated the support.  Andrew still goes for ongoing issues and it's nice having someone to look at the bigger picture. 
  

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• adrielegorburu member

  January 2012

  I really liked the program at my NICU - we went in for an evaluation but since we have private insurance and her neuro had already prescribed physical therapy we didnt qualify for the therapy at the clinic - but they did another evaluation and follow up 6 months later to collect data on her and they have been very available to help with social worker/insurance etc.

  

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