Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! you too? I thought I was the only one
~ C.S LEWIS
DON’T DO IT ALONE,
Having a premature and sick baby is a daunting and often frighteni ng experience that feels as if it will go on forever. The continuing high level of worry, uncertainty and fear often causes significant distress for all who are close and takes its toll, particularly on parents.
On leaving hospital, isolation can become a parent’s greatest challenge:
Parents may feel a kind of separation anxiety after discharge. Separating from the professionals in hospital who have known and cared for your baby for weeks or months, to professionals in the community who are yet to meet your baby can be a little daunting.
A baby can become fussier and less predictable during the transition from hospital to home. Problems adjusting to parenthood and the responsibility of caring for a new baby occur for all new parents. These adjustment problems seem more difficult when the baby was born prematurely or has been unwell. Your worry may be heightened again if you come home during the winter period.
You are right to be cautious, you will have spent a long time in hospital and do not wish to return, many find the answer to this is to shut themselves up in their homes, not allow visitors in and refuse to go out. This may help baby but it can be potentially harmful to Mum and Dad. You will need to have an outlet, somewhere or someone you can go to for support or to just talk to. Not having this outlet will only serve to heighten your stress levels.
PROS FOR TALKING IT OUT
- When we isolate ourselves from others we only have our own guidance, and that can lead to extremely stressful situations when dealing with a prem or sick baby just home from hospital.
- Contact is important for our emotional and mental health.
- You need to be able to share your highs and lows.
To find out how you can obtain professional counselling services through the Foundation click here
Community support services and resources
In some circumstances, a home visit by either a hospital or Maternal Child Health Nurse can be arranged before your discharge from hospital. Follow up appointments can be arranged through your GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse.
If you don’t feel like you can take your baby out ask your Maternal Child Health Nurse if they can come to you or if there is a regional nurse available. You will be given phone numbers of a 24 hour advisory phone service, which you can access for advice and support, or you can contact the discharging hospital.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation offers a 24hr telephone support to parents on
Ph: 1300 Mypremmie / 1300 697 736
The Life’s Little Treasures Foundation also organises Parent Support Groups at various venues throughout Victoria as well as at some hospitals, details can be found on our web site – click here.
Post & Antenatal Depression Association (PANDA)
PANDA’s national Helpline provides confidential information, support and referral to anyone affected by depression and anxiety during pregnancy and after childbirth (perinatal depression and anxiety), including partners, family members and friends.
Ph: 1300 726 306
www.panda.org.au
Angel Babies Foundation
Angel Babies Foundation provides free counselling and information to individuals and families across Australia experiencing anxiety, grief or loss related to infertilty, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, perinatal death, stillbirth, premature birth or neonatal death.
Ph: 1300 283 238
www.angelbabies.org.au
Further information about other community services can be found in the Life’s Little Treasures booklet
“THE QUICK WAY ROUND – A GUIDE TO COMMUNITY SERVICES AND RESOURCES”.
This comes as part of the LLT Precious Prem Pack on Registration
Don’t do it alone.
We are here to provide you with friendship, support and information, to help you through this difficult period. We have all been there and do understand that you may not want to be out and about but please do give us a call or email anytime or join our Facebook community.
Stay in touch!
