[Jerico]

Came on duty tonight in the Level II.

Mom and Dad came in, baby born at 0400 - 20 hours ago. Dad arrived while mom was in labor, directly here from Iraq he got to see his baby son born! He hadn't seen mom since she was about 3 months pregnant...

Totally awesome to watch these two with this baby boy.

Made my heart sing to know this very young man made it back from Iraq AND got to see his son born AND got to see his wife again.

Baby OK and beautiful, just monitoring him.

[danissa]

jerico, what a beautiful story! I'd have been bawling my eyes out, I'm welling up just picturing it! Hope this wee family have all the luck in the world!!

[RainDreamer]

Took care of a sick little kiddo last week ...... exchange transfusions, the whole bit. Came in this week to find out the mom called the day shift supervisor to make sure they knew I would be taking care of her baby tonight because she "just loves me". Awwwwwwwww!!

What an absolute sweetie pie baby too. It's great to see her at this stage, from being so sick. And what a great mama!

[Sweden]

I love seeing parents realise that they have actually become parents, that the baby in their arms are inded their child!

Traditional care of premature/sick babies usually delay the process a bit, it must be harder if you don´t get to hold your baby. But a few nights ago I admitted 29 week twins (c-section) and got the opportunity to put both babies in their fathers arms within 10 minutes of birth. They went down to the nicu still clinging to dad and his face was lit up with the biggest smile I have ever seen. They both ended up needing CPAP, iv´s, bloodsamples and iv medicine´s, but everything was done with them on dad! He slept with his children on his chest and never left the unit..... Two days later they are off the CPAP and the whole family are together in a private room.

I love kangaroo care!!!

Anna

[BoonersmomRN]

I'm still on orientation but this week I took care of a 28 weeker who was born to a mom with PIH/HELLP. Mon was on MAG so she was still too sick to come see baby but Dad came up a lot and he was a bundle of nerves. Wouldn't come into the room to see the baby and kept asking if she would die at first and eventually I was able to coax him in but he woulnd't look into the isolette. He finally saw the baby she was on BCPAP and eventually vented due to severe RDS. Dad was a mess and it was very sad and he asked a ton of questions which I gladly answered but they were heartwrenching. Baby was their " last chance" as mom was older and they had lost 4 babies before. Last night she was extubated and Dad showed up in time for it...before we were able to hook her back to BCPAP we were Neopuffing her and I called him over so he could finally see her face ( she was also on phototherapy so eye shields but it was off for this). I finally was able to convince Dad to put his hand through the isolette hole to touch her head and when he did she opened her eyes WIDE and turned her head to him. I said " She knows you are here" and he just started bawling. My preceptor went ahead to put her back on BCPAP while I went around to comfort Dad. When I did he took me into this HUGE BEAR HUG ( I could barely breathe!) and then pulled me back and shook my shoulders while saying" THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I SAW MY EYES ON HER! I SAW MY BABY GIRL! SHE HAS MY EYES!!!!!!!".

It was amazing. We took a dig picture before we put the eye shield back on and printed it out for him. He held onto it like it was gold.

What an amazing experience

[SteveRN21]

OMG.


^^ That gave me chills...... ^ ^

[mauigal]

One of the funy things I have seen is a dad. This dad was really hands on type of guy. It was the first day his former 24 weeker was to get a bottle. As dad poured warm breast milk into a volufeed he took a sip! A big smile came over his face and we all laughed. He then said "little guy you are going to love this" It was so sweet watch him feed his son his first bottle. It was really a funny moment & warm fuzzy moment rolled into one

[SteveRN21]

Originally Posted by mauigal

As dad poured warm breast milk into a volufeed he took a sip!

[danissa]

Steve, like the Dad we had, who felt it his "duty" to hold the baby at the breast whilst she fed. He felt it his duty to make sure she was latched on, ok, its great to see Dads involved...but sometimes..it just leaves a shudder at the level of involvement, it's uncomfortable! Take your face away from the boobie when your baby feeds!!!!!!!!!

[Sweeper933]

Originally Posted by danissa

Take your face away from the boobie when your baby feeds!!!!!!!!!

Seriously!!!!