A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 25
Transitioning from NICU to SCN
Parent Story:
Rebecca and
Baby Esther
Esther was born at 26 weeks due
to a placental abruption. It was
totally unexpected and sudden.
Luckily being at the right place at
the right time ensured we made
it to Monash Medical Centre just
in time to save both my tiny baby
and me.
NICU was so overwhelming but
I soon learnt to ask questions,
participate in my baby’s cares
and be a true advocate for her
as she lay in her humidicrib. I
was by her side usually 12 hours
a day, observing, journaling
and doing as much kangaroo
care as was physically possible.
I was her mum and I wanted to
make sure I was the primary
carer but always with the best
support and supervision of the
wonderful NICU staff.
On day 41, Esther was moved
out of the cocoon of the NICU
and into SCN to a room of only
four babies. At first I found it a bit
disconcerting having less staff
and less frequent checks but
soon got to feel more confident
and to appreciate the cosy room
and the mood lighting. We were
lucky that Esther continued to do
“
well (give or take an infection or
two) and our focus was on just
getting bigger and continuing
to move down the bays closer to
the day we could go home. On
Day 61 we started to breastfeed
and when she hit the 2kg mark,
was moved to an
open cot. This
was very
daunting
and I
wanted
to cover
Esther back
up to protect
her from the
world but it was
lovely being able to easily
reach in and touch her without
worrying about wires and doors.
It was starting to feel right and
less medical.
A few different discharge dates
were discussed and my hopes
were dashed a few times but
eventually Esther was able to
come home on Xmas Eve which
was Day 94 and her actual
due date. It was the best Xmas
present ever, but that opened
up a whole new world of worry
taking her ‘outside’! The smell of
hand sanitiser will never leave
me, but you do eventually get
over that need to totally protect
them and let them get on with
living life.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
22
