NICU and preemie info in antepartum
My first son was a preemie (30 weeker) and I'm currently in antepartum with my 2nd son. When I received the packet welcoming me to the unit there was a lot of different papers in there. One about maternity photos thy come to your hospital room, one about different online or on tv child birthing classes and visits from pets. Out of the 10 pages of paper there was nothing about preemies or the NICU and this is a level III NICU and a big hospital. As a first time mom with my first son I had an emergency c-section 6 days after I was admitted. During the time the only time anyone came to talk to me about having a preemie was an hour before I delivered. By that point I couldn't even comphrened what they were saying. I'm disappointed that this hospital Dosen't offer more information or education about having a preemie. I think as a preemie mom education is key and education before you deliver is even better!
Whats your opinion? Do you feel you got adequate information about having a preemie? What do you wish you had?
Re: NICU and preemie info in antepartum
I agree with you! I was in antepartum for a MONTH on bedrest before the twins were born and I didn't get any info about the NICU until my water broke a few days before they were born. At that point, a NICU fellow came to talk about what to expect and answer questions. I feel like it was helpful, but it should've been done much earlier. I was already way to stressed and stuff to really let all her info sink in. I think mother's should be educated as soon as they are admitted into antepartum.
Best of luck to you!
I 100% agree with you also. I was on hospital bedrest for 10 days before I had my 2nd daughter. I was admitted because my water broke at 30 weeks 1 day and was in the antepartum, but my Dr. told me that he had already spoken to one of the NICU dr.'s and that they would be stopping by. I loved the fact that they did this as MH and I had no idea what to expect.
Our first was not a preemie and came home with us so this was all new to us and we were scared sh*tless! This really gave us an understanding, but to be fully honest even with that you really don't understand it all until you are in the situation.
I didn't spend any time in the antepartum unit, so my situation is a little bit different. I was admitted to the hospital and delivered that afternoon, but while they were trying to stop my labor, a neonatologist from the NICU came to talk to us to tell us what to expect if she was born that day. I found that to be really helpful, but I agree with above poster, that I really couldn't process it or understand it until I was going through the experience. I got a couple of brochures that explained the policies and procedures of the NICU, too.
I felt it was enough at the time, I couldn't really think about what else I would need. I really learned as I went as far as how the NICU worked and what a preemie would mean.
This.