As expectant parents, we set a lot of expectations. During pregnancy, women want the “pregnancy glow.” We want to have a fun gender reveal party. We want to design the perfect nursery. We have a baby shower to celebrate with family and friends.
We plan our labor and delivery meticulously with our doctors. Will we have a natural birth? Pain medication? A Cesarean-section? Skin-to-skin with our babies?
We also plan for our babies to be healthy and whether it is few days or a few weeks, any visit to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be a terrifying experience for new parents. Matthew and Lindsey Greer became parents to their son, Ronan, five weeks early in 2016. Lindsey said Ronan’s birth created a completely different birthing experience than she had hoped.
“After Ronan was born, we got to hold him for two seconds and then he was whisked away to the NICU,” Lindsey said. “Then, when we did see him, he was hooked up to a feeding tube, oxygen, and other things. It was very intimidating not understanding what was going on.”
Ronan stayed in the NICU for 10 days to overcome feeding issues, anemia, jaundice, and bradycardia. During that time, the Greers spent a great deal of time visiting Ronan in the NICU, driving back-and-forth each day. “It was incredibly stressful for our family… especially when it was unrealistic for both Matthew and me to be there with him around-the-clock.”
While Ronan is now a thriving 18-month-old boy, the Greer’s experience is certainly not unlike many families in the tri-state area.
Recently, Methodist Hospital has added a Rock-A-Bye baby program in their NICU. Terri Nunn, BSN, RNC, OB/Labor-Delivery/Nursery/NICU Manager at Methodist said the Rock-A-Bye Baby program provides extra cuddling and touch to babies born prematurely or with medical issues who are in the NICU, which is a growing trend at hospitals across the nation.
“Our NICU babies often spend the first weeks or even months of their lives here,” said Terri. “Their parents must often return to work and can’t be here around-the-clock to give them the nurturing they need, and studies have shown that babies do better when they are held and talked to; babies grow in love!”
Terri said the program’s volunteer, Sebree resident Chris Hedrick, serves as the NICU’s “Papa.” Terri grew emotional talking about Papa, a retiree from Century Aluminum, who she said had “found his calling.”
“We are so happy to have our NICU Papa here,” Terri said. “I almost get emotional about it because he is not only there to support parents but also the NICU staff. We love him.”
Chris, whose wife, Verna, works at Methodist Hospital in Gastroenterology, was encouraged to become a volunteer by Sandy Blue, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, and the new Rock-A-Bye Baby program seemed to be a perfect fit. “The first day I rocked those babies was awesome,” Chris said. “To see God’s miracles close up and the way the nurses and doctors care for them was mind-blowing. I was hooked.”
Terri said sensory stimulation and touch is of great importance to babies’ growth and development. “Infants receiving sensory stimulation averaged 47 percent greater weight gain per day than the control group who were not receiving sensory stimulation, and we discharged an average of six days earlier,” Terri added.
Terri said the Rock-A-Bye Baby program is currently fully staffed with volunteers; however, if anyone is interested in other volunteer opportunities at Methodist Hospital, contact Volunteer Services at 270-827-7413.
Share Your Comments & Feedback