Support Available
The birth of a premature or sick newborn is an overwhelming and traumatic experience for parents. “The NICU was an onslaught of flashing lights, alarming machines, indecipherable language and living minute by minute. Simply surviving the NICU and its inconceivable highs and lows required all the obtainable support to keep me standing” NICU Mum
The families of these miracle babies usually suffer extreme emotional distress and hardship. Their lives are changed permanently with their ability to cope significantly influenced by their NICU experience.
Recent research from Stanford University School of Medicine shows clearly that parents whose babies endured long stays in a NICU risk developing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Four months after their NICU experiences, three of the 18 parents in the study had been diagnosed with PTSD and seven were considered high risk. Another study found that 16 weeks after childbirth mothers with access to experienced NICU parents had “less anxiety and depression and felt they had more social support.
Miracle Babies Foundation responds to this need with support based on experience.
The Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureProgram™ is a free support program available to families of premature and sick newborns at any stage through a high risk pregnancy, their Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN) journey, their transition to home and onwards.
This successful program is essential for all families and comprises:
- NurtureLine - National 24-hour family helpline
- NurtureTime - In hospital parent to parent support
- NurtureGroup - Out of hospital play and support groups
NurtureLine
National 24 Hour Family Helpline ‐ 1300 MBABIES (1300 622 243)
Established in January 2007, NurtureLine was the first national 24 hour family helpline dedicated to assisting families of premature or sick newborns.
Confidential support is provided by trained parent support volunteers who themselves have experienced the birth of premature or sick newborn. Where appropriate, Miracle Babies Foundation endeavour to offer support from a parent support volunteer with a similar experience such as gestational age, medical condition or other shared circumstances.
This valuable service is offered to all parents, extended family and friends including those families who have suffered a loss.
NurtureTime
In Hospital Parent to Parent Support
NurtureTime in-hospital support is facilitated by caring parents who themselves have experienced the birth of premature or sick newborn.
Our qualified NurtureTime Volunteers visit the hospital to offer support, guidance and hope. Parents, family and friends can ask questions, share their thoughts and feelings’ knowing the volunteer has a shared experience.
Volunteers work closely with Social Work and Nursing Departments and are available for one-on-one or group support on-site in the NICU, Antenatal and Maternity wards.
“I realised I was allowed to have a bad day now and then. I felt silly sometimes about the things I felt guilty about but when I listened to other people you who have been through it I realised I am actually pretty normal. It can be almost funny sometimes.” Jessica Valencia, mum to twins girls born at 32 weeks on the support received by Miracle Babies volunteers.
Assisted Training and Support
Volunteers report directly to the Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureTime Manager who is responsible for rostering and that Volunteers adhere to all Miracle Babies Foundation Policies and requirements.
NurtureTime Volunteers are able to seek advice and support from Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureTime Manager and Social Worker. We work closely with the Hospital Departments Social Worker who assists with selection, training and debriefing of Volunteers.
Follow On Services
We promote a continuity of support for parents and families and encourage parents to attend NurtureGroup upon discharge from hospital.
NurtureGroups
Out of Hospital Play & Support Groups
Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroups are free play and support groups for families who have experienced the birth of a premature or sick newborn. We welcome all NICU and SCN families.
We offer a safe and secure environment for children 0 to 6 years who have been challenged by prematurity or sickness in which they can learn and develop through play, whilst offering families ongoing parent support after leaving the safety of a NICU/SCN.
Parents and carers can exchange ideas on parenting, tackle medical issues, share stories, build support networks, form friendships and ease the isolation that can often be felt by families of premature and sick newborns.
NurtureGroups are geared specifically towards the needs of premature and sick newborns and are equipped with toys and activities recommended by therapists to help advance physical development. Health professionals may also attend NurtureGroups to offer families assistance, expert advice and informal assessments of their child’s development. These may include a Social Worker, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Dietician, Social Worker and Child and Family Health Nurse.
“The Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup is a great place to meet other families who really understand the emotional roller coaster we went through and issues that still affect us today. The support we receive from other families is so uplifting and to watch the children together is very special” Kelly Docherty, mum to twin girls Kiana and Maddison, born at 31 weeks
NurtureGroup Sessions
Are managed by an appointed NurtureGroup Coordinator who is also an approved Miracle Babies Foundation parent Support Volunteer. NurtureGroup sessions are held fortnightly except during the school holidays and attendance is free. Session duration is generally for 2hrs.
A general Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureGroup session will include time for:
•Setting up
•Playtime
•Meal time
•Playtime
•General clean up and pack away
Morning tea is supplied for all in attendance.
Resources
All new NurtureGroups are eqipped with a start up kit which contains, toys, reources, cleaning products, first aid kit, and policy and proceudre manual.
NurtureProgram Volunteers
Miracle Babies Foundation prides itself on offering a comprehensive screening and approval process for its volunteers. We adhere to strict guidelines in selecting and approving all Volunteers who may enter the program by hospital referral or by applying directly to Miracle Babies Foundation.
It is mandatory for all Volunteers to complete;
- Volunteer Application Form
- Working with Children checks - requirements differ per State (this is mandatory)
Miracle Babies Foundation complete with the following:
- Referee checks
- Confirming Working with Children check clearance
- Interview with Miracle Babies Foundation representative
- Interview with Hospital Department Social Worker or Miracle Babies Foundation Social Worker
- Clearance of Criminal Record checks (where applicable)
- Booking and confirmation of attendance of Hospital Orientation (where applicable)
- Miracle Babies Foundation Volunteer approval process and ID
In addition Parent Support Volunteers participating in on-site NurtureTime will require final approval by hospital department and also complete the hospitals volunteer orientation program.
All NurtureProgram™ Volunteers are required to follow Miracle Babies Foundation Policies including but not limited to Code of Ethics, Confidentiality Policy, Privacy Policy and Volunteer Policy.
All individuals and/or families accessing our services are advised that Miracle Babies Foundation Parent Support Volunteers are not medically trained and so can not give medical advice.
Miracle Babies Foundation monitors each parent support volunteer’s case load which will be managed by the NurtureProgram™ Coordinator. A volunteer is responsible to report any overwhelming cases with their corresponding NurtureProgram™ Coordinator and Social Work to decide on an appropriate strategy to best support the family.
NurtureTime Volunteers are required to register general information with Head Office, including but not limited to gestation, postcode, and hospital. In some instances parents may wish to have future contact with the NurtureTime Volunteer in which the parent may provide contact details to the Volunteer.
All information received is treated confidential and any documentation remains the property of Miracle Babies Foundation where all applicable policies will be followed.
If your hospital is interested in Miracle Babies Foundation NurtureProgram and how we can help you best support the families or premature and sick newborns please contact head office on 1300 622 243 or email info@miraclebabies.org.au