The smaller they are, the more effort they require from doctors and even more care from parents. Therefore, on World Prematurity Day, the word “support” becomes much more powerful. Many parents of premature babies in hospitals can count on the involvement of the entire medical staff.
Zosia was born in the 22nd week of pregnancy and weighs slightly more than a can of drink, 440 grams. – The lungs are the first organ that poses the greatest difficulty for us, while all organs are still immature: the digestive tract, the circulatory system, and the nervous system – says Dr. Natalia Czaplińska from the Department of Neonatology and Rare Diseases of the University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw.
SEE ALSO: “Which parent survived this?” After the reportage, the “magic” began. Thousands of people signed
A child who was born a few months prematurely should have the same conditions as in the mother's belly: warm and dark – that's why there are often blankets in incubators, and the sounds should be friendly – just like at home. Voice and touch contact is invaluable for a premature baby.
– I think it's indescribable to someone who hasn't experienced it. It can't be described in words – says Mr. Paweł Wiełódek, Staś's father.
In Poland, many children are born prematurely. “Premature babies need their strong parents”Adrianna Otręba/Fakty TVN
Many mothers of premature babies cannot avoid depression
If it is safe to do so, the baby is taken out of the incubator to be able to feel the mother's body heat and heartbeat – this is called kangaroo care. Mrs. Marta Szymaniak comes every day from Warka to Warsaw to undergo psychotherapy for her son, who was born in the 28th week of pregnancy and is still in the incubator. – It's an hour and a half each way, so I spend three hours commuting so that I can spend a few hours with my son every day – says Mrs. Marta.
This is a huge effort for mothers of premature babies, both physical and mental. Many of them are unable to avoid depression. After labor, they go home without their baby, and they are not always able to take care of it right away as they would like.
– Many mothers or parents of full-term babies will not understand what it means to dress a baby for the first time or to take it for kangaroo care for the first time. I had my sons kangaroo-fed only after 10 days, and there are mothers who wait several months for it – admits Mrs. Marta Pietrusińska, mother of Ignaś and Gucio.
Therefore, a whole army of people usually is, or at least should be, involved in supporting parents of premature babies in good hospitals. In addition to doctors and nurses – psychotherapists, physiotherapists and other parents. – We try to help parents go through this, in many situations, extreme path – emphasizes Joanna Puskarz-Gąsowska, MD, PhD from the Department of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care of the Clinical Hospital. Fr. Anna Mazowiecka in Warsaw.
Every tenth child in Poland is born prematurely.
Main photo source: Fakty TVN