New Magazine Column

Some of you may remember that 3 months or so ago I wrote an article for the Little Bliss magazine. The article was a submission for the Dad's Corner section of the magazine. I am now pleased to say that Bliss has asked me to be the regular author of that column! I'm delighted to be able to contribute to the magazine and hopefully to general awareness about neonatal issues, particularly those affecting fathers. The column is normally written as a question and answer format. If you have any ideas for future columns do let me know. In the meantime, here's the previous article...

A. My baby is about to be transferred. We have just started to feel as if we know our way around our current unit. What changes can we expect and what can we do to cope better?

Q. Although there are many reasons for transfers, I think a transfer is bound to be hard whatever the reason, but particularly if it is a transfer that you don't want or feel you don't need. We found it helped though (admittedly in our case after the event!) to understand why it is that your baby is being transferred. There is a national network of neonatal units for example and the aim is to get you back to your home network if at all possible. There are also different levels of care provided by hospitals and again, the system tries to get you to the most appropriate level.

Whatever the reason, it is hard to move from one place where despite all the upheaval, stress and uncertainty, you are starting to feel at home, to a new unfamiliar environment. You are already emotional from the premature birth of your baby, are starting to understand the alarms, monitors and recognise the staff, and now it feels as if you comfort blanket is going to be ripped away from you.

It is important therefore to try and understand what to expect in the new hospital, in particular, the differences between where you are now and where you are going. Even the smallest differences (from the point of view of staff) can be a big deal when you have everything else to cope with (just where do you buy preemie size nappies from if you suddenly have to provide your own?), so try to find out about parking, visiting hours, ward round hours, facilities for parents, phone numbers etc ahead of time. If at all practical with doing a day job, caring for your baby and any siblings, your partner, NICU visits and everything else, a visit ahead of time may be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the new surroundings and get to know some of the staff.
Speaking to staff in the current unit should be a good source of information, both in terms of likely dates for a transfer but also information about your new unit.

Finally, although the fear of the unknown may mean a transfer is stressful, in many cases it is a way of getting the baby the help it needs or is a milestone on their way home. We were told that going from level 3 to level 2 units where the level of care is reduced often results in quicker progress and sure enough our son was quickly breathing unaided. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Good luck!

[Little Bliss, Spring 2010]